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Lina Dutches ColangeloSunday, December 11, 2016

Yesterday-12/10-someone (not a classmate) posted a notice on here for selling kidneys. It has since been deleted. Currently anyone can post on here without it being approved. If there is more of this kind of posting, I may have to approve any posts before they are put on site. I don't want to do that , so I hope this was a one time occurance.

Just wanted to let you all know that the Los Angeles Times over the weekend (Nov. 6) had a big article on Paterson, the Great Falls, the park that now exists around the Falls and Alexander Hamilton's great influence on the city and its growth.

I live in Los Angeles and was astounded to see a really long article, some great pictures (including the Falls at its best) and sound history quoted about our nearest big city. My husband and I usually manage to get back to NJ at least once a year to see family and old friends (many from PV), and we always slip in a visit to the Falls.

I thought you'd like to know - and you might be able to find the article on line at the Los Angeles Times site.

from 4/5/16 Bergen Record:
(interesting -- the evolution from 1939 to the present "biker bar" -- it kind of parallels our own lives -- glad it's supposed to survive, even though I've never been in there).
Last call not on tap for legendary Little Falls bar
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Great Notch Inn survives sprawling Route 46 project
The bulldozers are circling and the trees behind the Great Notch Inn have all come down. The long-awaited Route 46 interchange project is ripping up the landscape all around the rockin’ roadhouse in Little Falls.
CHRIS PEDOTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERHighway construction has encroached on the Great Notch Inn, which has occupied a wooded parcel off Route 46 west since 1939. The tavern will continue to operate after roadway improvements, albeit on less land and with fewer trees.
But sit down and have another beer. The Great Notch Inn isn’t going anywhere.
Although everything around it is changing, the Great Notch Inn has largely been spared because the state Department of Transportation has designed the two-phase, $150 million project to go around the storied nightspot. The Great Notch has surrendered about 30 percent of its lot to the state through eminent domain, but the inn, with its neon glow of red and green, will remain. The music and the beer will continue to flow.
“We’ll be here, on our little island, with two lanes of traffic flowing behind us,” Great Notch owner Rich Hempel said. “Everything the DOT has shown me, they’ve assured me that they plan to go around us.”
The DOT is cutting a new road behind the Great Notch that will parallel Route 46 and connect with new roundabouts at Valley Road in Clifton and Rifle Camp Road in Woodland Park. It’s the first phase of an elaborate project intended to make the Routes 46 and 3 interchange safer.
Construction began in January and has picked up as the weather has turned warmer, leaving piles of felled trees and chunks of concrete everywhere. Warmer weather also brings legions of motorcycle riders and music lovers to the Great Notch, but some arrived on Thursday night thinking it was last call for the roadhouse.
“I’ve been coming here for 30 years,” said Anthony DiEdwardo, 59, of Fair Lawn.
“We’re here to show support for the Great Notch, because there’s nothing like it. Without this place, there’s nowhere for bikers to go,” said DiEdwardo, who goes by his biker name, “T Springer.”
The project has consumed a good portion of the wooded area on the Great Notch lot that once served as a buffer. Hempel said the fruit stand emblazoned with the American flag by the side of the highway will be torn down, but the bar is safe.
“What would kill us is if not enough people came in here,” he said. “I’m more worried about that than the highway project.”
The door was flung open and inside the bar, the Poor Man’s Orchestra was cranking out a Tom Petty song. Various creatures of the night gathered on the porch, beers in hand. The music laid a smooth cover over the din of the highway.
“I really hope that the icon survives,” said Gary Perez, puffing a cigar. Perez, of North Caldwell, and his friend, Bobby Seale of Nutley, arrived on motorcycles for a rendezvous at the Great Notch.
“Bobby called me the other day when he saw all the trees down,” Perez said. “He says, ‘We gotta go to the Great Notch.’ ”
Word that the Great Notch had been spared the wrecking ball came as news to many in the crowd. Some, like Perez, expressed skepticism that the DOT might one day change the plan and come calling.
DOT spokesman Stephen Shapiro said there’s no reason to fear.
“While developing the Route 3/Route 46 Lower Notch Road project, the department took into account businesses in the area, such as the Great Notch Inn, and was able to design the project in a way that allowed the Great Notch Inn to stay in operation at its present location,” he said.
The pinewood cabin that is the Great Notch Inn was threatened by the highway once before. In 1939, the state laid down the road that would become Route 46 through the Great Notch, a natural break in the Watchung Mountain range.
Since 1924, Hempel’s grandfather Greg DiLeo had operated a roadside stand, the Green Chateau, on a spot the state needed to take to build the highway. The restaurant sold more than food; during Prohibition, DiLeo kept the booze flowing from an underground tank attached to plumbing spigots.
The Green Chateau was demolished, but the end was a new beginning for Greg DiLeo. He spotted a house across the highway that was set to be demolished and bought it for $1.
Somehow, he jacked it up on a bed of logs and dragged it across the highway to its current location. His wife, Florence, did the cooking and DiLeo, in white shirt, black bow tie and trousers, worked the bar. Thus was born the Great Notch Inn in 1939.
The couple lived upstairs and worked the business every day. Hempel said his mother had grown up on the property and that he had spent much of his life there, too.
“My family has owned this place for three generations,” said Hempel, who took over the business when his grandfather died in 1988. “I think people want to hold onto something that is historic. We may not be registered as a landmark, but we are a landmark — in more ways than one.”
DiLeo was his own man, and quite a character. He wore the white shirt and black bow tie as if it were painted on him — but apparently, the black pants were optional. Sometimes he’d wear boxer shorts, his grandson said.
He also developed a unique talent for mimicking the sound of train whistles; when you least expected it, he’d emit the full-throttle WOO-WOO of the Erie Lackawanna or the HONK-HONK of the Penn Central. His talent earned him numerous radio appearances and he once even opened for Frank Sinatra in Atlantic City.
And like Sinatra, he did things his way. If Greg DiLeo didn’t like your looks, he didn’t serve you. That meant no beards and no blue jeans. He hung a sign outside the business: No Bikes.
Times changed. The sign came down after Hempel took over and reshaped the Great Notch into a live music venue. It is known for the blues; the great jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis filmed a video at the Great Notch in 1992 to promote his album, “I Heard You Twice the First Time.”
Inside, the place retains much of its aged charm. The mahogany bar has been smoothed by millions of elbows and drenched in beer. A huge National brand cash register, circa 1918 and all brass with a wood drawer, dominates the bar. The lighting is set down low and casts a dim blue pale.
The band set up in a corner, a few feet from the bar. Mark Moran, the leader of the Poor Man’s Orchestra, knows what all that wood and all those people do to the sound.
“There will be a lot less echo,” he said. That allows for a warmer, softer sound that will waft through the door, now taken off its hinges, and drown out the highway roar.
Moran is the co-publisher of Weird N.J., the magazine dedicated to the strange and esoteric world of the Garden State. The Great Notch is one of those places.
The band opened its set with the slow groove of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown,” and the mood in the room began to shift. The small talk stopped for a moment and heads began to bob.
On the porch, Carlos Lipari, 57, was hanging with his friend, Dave “Shooter” Ricca, 38. Both are from Clifton. Lipari observed that for locals, a good night is to ride to Rutt’s Hutt for a hot dog and then to the Great Notch for a beer.
“This is what you come here for,” he said, nodding as the music floated through the door.
Ricca chimed in that when one-of-a-kind places go, they’re gone for good. He spoke of being the “last of a dying breed” — but it wasn’t clear whether he was talking about a biker like himself, or one of-a-kind places like the Great Notch Inn.
“You know what they say: only the strong survive,” Ricca said. “We live in a jungle, and it’s getting tougher and tougher.”

NorthJersey.com : Community News : Public Safety
FEBRUARY 11, 2016 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016, 12:31 AM
Little Falls remembers former police chief
BY LINDSEY KELLEHER
STAFF WRITER |
PASSAIC VALLEY TODAY
LITTLE FALLS – Many township residents remember Edward T. Oswald as a former chief of the Little Falls Police Department but to his sons Troy and Christopher he was a family man.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LITTLE FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Former Little Falls Police Chief Edward T. Oswald died Jan. 21 at age 77. Oswald's family and the Little Falls Police Department recall memories of his life as a longtime Little Falls resident who knew many people in town.
Edward Oswald, 77, died Jan. 21.
When Troy and Christopher were growing up, Oswald would juggle his time between work at the police department and serving as an assistant coach when they played baseball for the township's recreation league, according to his son Troy Oswald.
"He couldn't make every practice but he got as involved as he could," Troy said.
Troy said he and his brother played for several of the recreation teams including a team that was named after Pullara Shoes, a shop that existed on Main Street.
Their family's devotion to sports continued when Troy was in college and a member of the wrestling team because his father would watch him compete. Troy attended Jersey City and William Paterson Universities from the mid 80s to early 90s, but took a year off in 1988 and went to the New Jersey Police Academy in Sea Girt.
Although Troy described his father as a humble man who didn't share many stories with him and his brother about being a police officer or about the time he spent serving in the U.S. Navy, Oswald inspired both of them to become police officers. Troy is detective captain of the Paterson Police Department and Christopher is a sergeant with the Fairfield Police Department.
"He always downplayed what he did," Troy said, noting that he was always open-minded about their career paths.
Oswald joined the Little Falls Police Department in June 1964 and became captain in September 1988. He was then promoted to chief in April 1999, retiring in 2004. During his time as captain, he ran the patrol division and oversaw the crossing guards in town. During his career, he also worked in the program that fingerprints youngsters who are brought to the police station.
"He was a great chief and a great man," said current Little Falls Police Chief Steven Post. "Chief Oswald was well-liked and respected by the membership in the department, surrounding agencies, and the community he lived in for all those years."
From the mailman to local police officers, it seemed he knew just about everyone in Little Falls.
"If he liked you, he liked you," noted Troy. "And if he didn't, he didn't."
His wife Judith Oswald was a teacher in town and also taught at Parsippany High School.
The two met at Passaic Valley High School, according to Troy, but didn't start dating until after his father had completed his time in the Navy. Oswald served in the Navy from 1957 to 1959. Oswald played football and graduated in 1956 and Judith participated in Girls Show and graduated in 1957.
"They did everything together," said Troy, noting they went on cruises and took trips to Atlantic City.
Oswald was born in Forest City, Pa., and came this area in 1944 settling in Newark before moving to Cedar Grove in 1955 and then to Little Falls in 1956, according to his obituary.
He was a parishioner of Holy Angels R.C. Church. He graduated from William Paterson University in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree, graduated from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., and served in the Navy. Oswald was also a member of PBA Locals #346 and #173 as well as the Passaic County Police Chiefs Association.
Oswald was predeceased by his wife, the former Judith Guide; and by his sister Irene Spallone.
"He missed her very much," explained Troy, noting that his father died of "a broken heart."
Oswald is survived by his sons Troy E. Oswald and his wife Elena of Montville, and Christopher P. Oswald and his wife Gena of Fairfield; former daughter-in-law Kelly Oswald of Fairfield; grandsons Shane Patrick, Rowan Thomas and Jameson Joseph Oswald; and his brother Stephen Oswald of South Carolina.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 26 from Bizub-Parker Funeral Home and a mass was held at Holy Angels R.C. Church, Little Falls. Interment was at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Jersey Daredevils, a special needs hockey team, at 51 Divan Way, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Email: kelleher@northjersey.com

from Facebook:
NORTHJERSEY.COM : COMMUNITY NEWS
100 year old Little Falls manhole cover to be historically cataloged
JANUARY 14, 2016 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016, 12:31 AM
BY MIKE LAMBERTI
CORRESPONDENT |
PASSAIC VALLEY TODAY
Print
PHOTO COURTESY OF ARNIE KOROTKIN
A manhole cover from 1914 was recently replaced near the Little Falls Public Library. With the library's centennial to be marked this year, the cover will be historically cataloged in some capacity.
LITTLE FALLS — Nearly a century after its initial placement at the intersection of Warren Street and Stevens Avenue, the manhole cover near the Little Falls Public Library was replaced in 2015.
One might wonder how a manhole cover would garner attention, but township resident Arnie Korotkin noticed the change. And that change was easy to observe.
"The covers are dated with the year it was originally placed," said Korotkin, a community activist, adjunct professor at Montclair State University, and cybrarian for several non-profit organizations. "The original cover was from 1916, and with the 100th anniversary of the Little Falls Library coming up, I felt it was something to preserve."
Korotkin was hoping the cover could be given to the historical society or the library.
According to Phil Simone, the Department of Public Works superintendent in Little Falls, when a road is repaved, the manhole covers are now replaced.
"That wasn't always the case," said Simone. "The cover in question was from 1916, and obviously the road has been repaved since then. In fact, that road was repaved in 2000, but we kept the original cover."
With technology, however, the ability to provide a better and more secure cover provides the community an important safety factor.
"With the new covers, it's better for in infiltration and sanitary systems for the community," said Simone. "The new covers are much more secure and keep the system cleaner by removing particles before they go underground. It's a much more sanitary system now."
The covers continue to be dated, with the new one on Warren and Stevens listed as 2014.
"We order the covers in bulk," said Simone. "So, in this case, the cover was dated 2014. We didn't put it down until last year. We don't order one, per paving job."
Simone appreciated the need to preserve the old cover.
"For sure," he said. "It was placed in our DPW yard and will either go to the historical society, or the library. It has to be done in an official capacity. But we have it."
Korotkin, who writes a blog which appears on northjersey.com, appreciates the historical relevance. He even provided a 1915 Sanborn map, which included the intersection where the library was constructed.
"Well, the 1916 manhole cover is of historical significance, since it was installed the same year that the original Little Falls Free Library was built with funds from the Carnegie Foundation and its retention would serve as an historical reminder as the library is about to commemorate its 100th anniversary," he wrote on his blog, entitled "The Gadfly, An Eye on Issues Confronting the Residents of Little Falls."
Since Korotkin wrote his blog on the manhole cover this past November, he received some responses from curious residents, with one asking if there were older covers still in use.
Korotkin noted that there are others from 1916 that can be found along Prospect Street, from 3rd Avenue to Wilmore Road
"I, too, would be interested if there are any covers in Little Falls with earlier dates," he wrote.
With the dates clearly in place, surely the challenge of discover-ing an older cover could be satisfied.

Abundant recreation sites big draw for Woodland Park
DECEMBER 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015, 12:39 PM
BY DONNA ROLANDO
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD |
THE RECORD
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PAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE
This six-bedroom Victorian farmhouse at 200 Browertown Road in Woodland Park, priced at $595,000, has a gazebo.
When Christine and Paul Murphy moved to Woodland Park, purchasing their first house in 2012, they considered creating a playground in the back yard. But after looking around the neighborhood they ruled it out.
"We said, 'Why bother? There are three parks within walking distance,' " recalled Christine.
This three-bedroom, two-bath Cape Cod at 139 Williams Drive has hardwood floors and a three-season porch.
This three-bedroom, two-bath raised ranch at 60 Bush Ave. is listed at $324,800. It also includes an in-law suite.
Their daughter is now 3 years old, and they still think it was a good decision.
Fast Facts: Woodland Park
Median home price: $346,300
Median tax bill: $9,348
Population: 12,274
Median family income: $64,593
Source: city-data.com
After all, Woodland Park lives up to its name by being big on parkland – not only municipal parks, but also two county parks. Dual reservoirs add to the mix, creating a significant amount of open space for a small town near the cities of Clifton and Paterson in lower Passaic County.
Among the attractions is Garret Mountain featuring not only biking and hiking but horseback riding.
Their sales agent, Kelly Spinalli of Century 21 in Little Falls, is a third-generation Woodland Park resident with 17 years as an agent. For her, the parkland – a total of 13 sites – is what makes Woodland Park unique.
"Woodland Park is 3 miles long. We have 1 square mile of parkland," she said.
Among the parks are the Morris Canal Greenway, where a slice of history has been transformed into a hiking and biking path; Frank D. Zaccaria Memorial Park; and Rose Place Park, where tennis courts are targeted for upgrading in the next year, Spinalli said.
With a Boys & Girls Club and many senior programs, Spinalli said, "It's a small town with a big heart. … It offers so much."
But the Murphys didn't buy their Cape Cod here for the parks, as much as the former Belleville renters appreciate them. "We looked at several homes within blocks of each other. We really liked the area. We put in a couple bids that fell through, and this was meant to be," she said.
Woodland Park served their needs by being commuter friendly to Paul's job as a special-education teacher in Elizabeth, and Christine's job as a school social worker in Fair Lawn.
Although Woodland Park has an abundance of open space, Route 46 and Interstate 80 both run through it, speeding along many a commute.
"I have a lot of people coming in from [New York City] because it's very convenient to the city," said Matt Bariso, who has sold real estate in Woodland Park for 12 years and works for Coldwell Banker in Wayne.
He mentioned proximity to the Montclair park-and-ride and train line as a selling point, while Spinalli spoke of the Little Falls train station and Clifton park-and-ride, all in close proximity.
"Shopping is convenient," Bariso added, with mom-and-pop shops on McBride Avenue and Kohl's and other department stores along Route 46.
The New Jersey Multiple Listing Service recently showed 35 single-family homes, priced from $199,000 for a three-bedroom, one-bath Cape to $575,000 for a six-bedroom, three-full-bath, two-half-bath colonial, available in town.
Bob Bailey-Lemansky of Keller Williams Suburban Realty said the town offers a "good mix of housing" from single-family properties, town houses and condos, to luxury, 55-plus adult community living.
"We also have a lot of multifamily houses, which a lot of towns don't," Spinalli said.
"You'll get the first-time buyer, the move-up buyer and those downsizing," she said. Although Capes are a prevalent housing style, "we also have colonials and a few ranches."
Homes tend to sell within 60 days, she said, and multiple offers such as what the Murphys faced are not uncommon.
Bariso said home sales are up slightly this year from 2014, when 117 single-family houses sold, compared with 120 through November. He attributed much of this increase to sales at K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at Great Notch, an active adult 55-plus community.

NORTHJERSEY.COM : NEWS
Passaic County receives state grant for work at Garret Mountain park
JUNE 29, 2015, 6:08 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015, 6:08 PM
BY RICHARD COWEN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
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Passaic County has received a $1.3 million state grant to refurbish Garret Mountain Reservation, the 568-acre expanse that straddles Paterson and W.P. and is the most heavily used park in the county system.
The grant, provided through the state Green Acres program, supplies almost half of the funding for the county’s $2.9 million plan to improve Garret Mountain. Passaic County spokesman Keith Furlong said the remainder of the funding should come from the county’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund.
Furlong said the project should go out to bid this summer and work should begin in the fall.
The plan calls construction of two new restrooms and the renovation of two existing restrooms, repaving and re-striping the 2.5 mile loop that winds through the reservation, dredging of Barbour Pond, refurbishing the pathways with new gravel, and improving the scenic overlook at the north end of the park.
“Investing in our county park system is paramount to protecting property values, our environment, and maintaining a high quality of life for our residents,” Freeholder John W. Bartlett stated.
He said the county has been investing in its parks and historic sites because they are important to tourism and economic development. The improvements to Garret Mountain Reservation, Bartlett said, should last for years and make the park more appealing.
The proposed improvements to Garret Mountain Reservation are consistent with the Parks, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan adopted by the freeholders in 2013. The Master Plan contained $21 million worth of recommended improvements that touched all 11 of Passaic County’s parks.
Some of those improvements, like the $3.1 million refurbishing of Goffle Brook Park, are already complete. Others, like the renovation of historic Dey Mansion in Wayne, are underway. Weasel Brook Park in Clifton is also being restored with new paths, landscaping, restrooms, a basketball court and a pond dredging.
But of all the county parks, Garret Mountain Reservation is by far the biggest and busiest. The new bathrooms will be wheelchair accessible and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Barbour Pond will be dredged so that it is deep enough to accommodate canoes, paddle boats and rowboats. The road that runs through the reservation will be repaved and re-striped, according to Passaic County’s grant application.
Email: cowenr@northjersey.com

W.P. mayor's post:
Keith Kazmark
1 hr ·
The Council and I are continuing our fight for the remaining sound barriers along Greenway Lane, Brophy Lane and Vernon Court. The proposed Route 80 West project is our last, best hope to have the walls funded and constructed by NJ DOT. %u202A#‎GettingThingsDone%u202C!

John Piccolo's news (received by email 11/19/15):
Condolences to Helen Piccolo.
Hi family and friends:
My Harmony Singers holiday concert is Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 PM at the same venue as last year. Pompton Reformed Church, 59 Hamburg Tpk., Pompton Lakes, NJ.
Tickets are $15. Helen will be at the door and we can hold them for you. Would be nice if we can go to dinner afterward like previously done.
Sorry not to give you more notice. Been very hectic around here. Helen lost her sister just yesterday and exactly 4 weeks prior, her brother. She is now the last of 5 and obviously upset to say the least.
Hope to see you all soon.
Love,
Sonny

I am sorry to report that Tom Fenwick passed away on 11/9/15. Tom had been married to Lyn Mayer for 55 years and they had 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Tom had serious health issues about 8 years ago, but had done fairly well for the past several years.. They also suffered devastating damage to their home after Sandy and it required about a year to recover.
Visiting will be @ Anderson-Campbell , 703 Main St., Toms River from 1-5 with a memorial service @4:30 PM. Repast will follow @ son Scott's house.
Donations may be sent to ASPCA, Wounded Warrior, or St. Jude's.

from Facebook:
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Browertown Road Safety Concerns
For the past year the Passaic Valley High School (PVHS) “Student Advocates for Safety,” have raised concerns about pedestrian and traffic safety on Browertown Road.
This past summer, as a result of their advocacy, two additional 25 mph speed limit signs were installed on Browertown Road to alert drivers to the speed limit.
The group also requested that a stop sign be installed at the PVHS exit onto Browertown Road to caution drivers before they make a left or a right turn onto Browertown Road.
In response, the Passaic Valley High School Board of Education(PVBOE) announced, at its October 26th meeting, that a stop sign had been purchased. It is anticipated that the stop sign will be installed by the PVHS maintenance staff prior to the Thanksgiving Break.
The efforts of the Student Advocates for Safety exemplify the words of Margaret Mead who stated that we should “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Posted by Arnold Korotkin on 10/28 at 08:25

Once again I have the sad task of letting you know that Jean Horrocks Schaffer passed away on Sept. 16, 2015.
Visitation will be at Festa Funeral Home in Totowa on Sun from 4-8PM and services will be at the funeral home on Monday @10:30 AM.
Jean was living in East Stroudsburg,PA @ the time of her death. She is survived by her daughter and 3 grandchildren. Her husband, Warren,a former Totowa police officer and PV alumnus, passed away in 2006

PATERSON, N.J. -- A new documentary that explores the way the make up of Paterson's population has changed the city’s evolution will be broadcast this month.
“Paterson and Its People” examines population changes from pre-European history as the home of the Lenape tribe to its present-day multiplicity.
The documentary explores the diversity of ethnic and racial groups that have populated the city. It begins thousands of years ago when native Lenape Indians populated the area and continues on through the early English and French immigrants to more recent arrivals of Hispanic and Middle Eastern populations.
The film highlights some famous residents and visitors, but focuses mainly on the ordinary people who lived and worked in the city and contributed to its social fabric.
The documentary by noted William Paterson University sociology professor Vincent Parillo will air on NJTV at 2 a.m Tuesday, Sept. 22 and 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.
It also will be shown at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the university's Shea Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free.
Parrillo is the film's author, narrator, and co-producer with Jaroslaw Ziaja serving as co-producer and editor. Parrillo and Ziaja previously co-produced the film "Gaetano Federici: The Sculptor Laureate of Paterson."
Rhoderick Holliday, video production coordinator at the university, is the associate producer and production manager. Passaic County Historian Edward A. Smyk was a consultant on the film. The William Paterson University Alumni Association provided support.
Parrillo is the executive producer and writer of three award-winning PBS television documentaries: "Gaetano Federici: The Sculptor Laureate of Paterson" (2013), "Smokestacks and Steeples: A Portrait of Paterson" (1992) and "Ellis Island: Gateway to America" (1991).
He is the author of many books and journal articles, and his work been translated into nine languages.

NORTHJERSEY.COM : NEWS
Lack of rain helps fuel algae outbreaks in North Jersey ponds, rivers
AUGUST 19, 2015, 6:25 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015, 11:24 AM
BY RICHARD COWEN AND MINJAE PARK
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Print
VIOREL FLORESCU / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An algae bloom on the Passaic River.
Summer heat, combined with two months of below average rainfall, has left the Passaic River and many North Jersey waterways covered with algae and looking like pea soup.
Algae, which feeds off nutrients in treated waste water and runoff that is deposited in rivers, streams, and ponds, has turned much of the shimmering Passaic a murky green. While just about everything else has been drying up, the aquatic life that is frequently disrespected as “pond scum” has been growing by leaps and bounds.
"The only thing this dry weather has been good for has been vacations," said Dr. David Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist. "It’s not been good for the lawns and the gardens and the crops and the aquatic life, be it plant or animal. I'm not wishing flash floods and the like, but we could use some rain."
The northeast area of the state, which includes Bergen and Passaic counties has seen only about four inches of rain since July 1 and is one of the state’s drier regions. Normal rainfall for July and August would be about seven inches, Robinson said.
The recent trend has been even drier. Although a band of showers dashed across North Jersey Wednesday afternoon, it did not produce much rain. Less than an inch of rain has fallen in August.
A good steady rain would flush the rivers, taking the algae with it. Late summer will bring diminishing sunlight and cooler water temperatures, which should aid in the algae breakup.
“This time of year, with a lot of sun hitting warm water, you will see algae come up,” said Joseph A. Bella, the executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission. “Heavy rain will flush it.”
The water commission draws much of its water from the Passaic River and tests for algae. Most of the algae is filtered out when it gets to the treatment plant in Little Falls, before the water is disinfected, Bella said.
Bella said most algae is not harmful. Of greatest concern is a species known as Blue-Green algae, which is actually a bacteria that can be harmful if swallowed. Bella said the water commission has been testing for Blue Green algae, but has found only “tiny amounts” that are not a cause for alarm.
Algal blooms have been amplified by warm stagnant waters, Robinson said, conditions that aren’t healthy for plants or fish. But showers expected in the next few days which could get the water moving again.
"There's enough moisture in the atmosphere, enough instability in the atmosphere, that anytime between now and next Tuesday, showers may pop up,” Robinson said.
Email: cowenr@northjersey.com and parkm@northjersey.com
Tags:
News | Environment | Bergen County, N.J. | Passaic County, N.J. |

I know; I said I wouldn't check on whether my last "paste" showed up, BUT I did -- not there -- so, ONE MORE TIME, here it is:
(Lina, can you solve this problem for us??????)
I'm not checking again; I have to sign off!
George C Eaton‎You might be from Little Falls if......
5 hrs ·
newly painted

Just thought I'd check on my post before lieaving this site--
and,once again, my "paste" did not appear!
Well, I'll try one more time, and then I'm giving up!
For the second time, I have indeed seen what I dropped down, but I'm not redoing it again, if this doesn't show up!
George C Eaton‎You might be from Little Falls if......
5 hrs ·
newly painted

Sorry my earlier post did not show up (yet I saw it when I pasted it down -- oh, well, it was just a saying that "old age is not so funny now that we've reached old age!"
Anyhow, here's a photo from Facebook of the newly painted tank in the park in L.F.:
(that is, if this actually shows up here!)
George C Eaton‎You might be from Little Falls if......
newly painted

More W.P. photos:
(the town has made a beautiful walk along the old Morris Canal from Neeser to Rose Place, and continuing again across Rose Place to behind the police station & library
(first three photos show the Morris Canal pathway).Kelly Predojevic added 11 new photos — feeling blessed.

JuelSuglia

SUGLIA
Juel M. (nee Moll), of Little Falls passed away peacefully Monday surrounded by family and close friends.
Juel was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and was the daughter of Wilson and Sadie (nee Miller) Moll. She graduated Kutztown University in 1949 and accepted her first teaching job in the East Orange School District. In June of 1951, she married Anthony F. "Tony" Suglia and moved to Totowa and later Little Falls. Juel taught various grades at Little Falls School #1 for 30 years. In her retirement years, Juel traveled the world with her husband and gave generously to many charities.
Juel was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Anthony F. "Tony" Suglia on March 5, 2015; by her son, Michael P. Suglia, in 1977 and by her sister, Gladys Carter.
She is survived by her daughter, Toni McClure and her husband, Blaine, of Woodland Hills, CA; her English son, Tony Pike and his good friend Marion Frazier; her two grandsons, Michael Grossman and his wife, Missy and Matthew Dobbs; her niece, Vicki Carter, her nephew, Clark Carter and her beloved springers- Oliver and Molly.
Funeral Services will be 8:30 AM Friday from Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Little Falls and 9 AM at Holy Angels R.C. Church, 465 Main St., Little Falls. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Visitation on Thursday from 6-9 PM. lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Michael P. Suglia Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Passaic Valley High School, East Main St., Little Falls, NJ 07424. Visit www.bizub.com for driving directions/ online condolences.

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In early June, Bill and I had a wonderful visit with our dear friends and my classmates, Lyn and Tom Fenwick at their beautiful farm in the Catskills of NY.

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Lina Dutches ColangeloSunday, June 7, 2015

I am happy to say that I have become the grandmother of twins on Fri 6/5. Christopher Anthony and Sophia Ann Colangelo arrived 4 weeks early but are robust and healthy. They weighed in at 7-2 and 5-15 --big babies for twins that were early. Can't wait to see them in person

Don't forget the PVHS play tonight, tomorrow, and Sat., May 9th, at 7:00 p.m.
(I can't make tonight (choir practice) but will try for either Fri. or Sat.

from Facebook 5/7/15:

W.P. to Little Falls

Sunday, May 17 • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Alfred Baumann Library, 7 Brophy Lane Woodland Park

This tour will start at the Woodland Park Municipal Building and end at the Little Falls Morris Canal Park along Main

Street. The hike will take three hours (about four miles) with mostly easy walking on sidewalks and trails. Parking is available in Woodland Park Municipal Building. We will provide transportation back to Woodland Park. Its suggested to bring water and a snack.

As part of the Montclair film festival, the 75-minute "GIRLS SHOW" will be shown this Saturday, May 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair 07042.
Here's the complete 4/28/15 newspaper coverage on this film:

Documentary detailing Passaic Valley High School's Girls Show to air at Montclair Film Festival

From this reporter's perspective, the first encounter I had with Passaic Valley High School's legendary Girls Show occurred in 1998. Then-director Patricia Murray and I had established a rapport, as I had written a feature on the PV cheering team, of which Murray was also the director. I had heard about Girls Show, but since I was relatively new to covering PV back then, didn't nearly understand the nuances associated with the tradition. But I had the opportunity to go backstage in watching the preparation for the show, as I wrote a series of articles leading to the '98 production for the paper, and with Murray's supervision, observed practices for both teams. The covert nature in which the kids prepared for the show would make the CIA proud. With that said, the understanding I have in what this show is all about makes it even more exciting as I write this story about a big day coming up this Saturday.

PASSAIC VALLEY - Having grown up in South Carolina, film maker David Krantz had no idea what he was venturing into when he heard, over a cup of coffee some four years ago, about a phenomenon in Little Falls called Girls Show.

"A mutual friend had told me about Girls Show, but I had no idea what it entailed," Krantz recalled. "It kind of sparked my curiosity. I went on YouTube and was able to learn a little something about it. But until I actually started the project, I had no idea the determination that went into it."

For two years, Krantz and his team were behind the scenes, putting together a comprehensive film on not only the history of Girls Show, which began in 1941, but the intensity a young lady puts into preparing for the annual Green vs. White (the school's colors) showdown in late February, or early March, at the Passaic Valley High School gymnasium.

On May 2, Krantz's documentary will be publicly aired at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, as part of the Montclair Film Festival's annual celebration The film's showing is scheduled for 7 p.m. and it's best if you get tickets ahead of time. Visit http://tinyurl.com/p7lyq7n for more information. Tickets were selling quickly.

The 73-minute film, appropriately called "Girls Show," is co-presented by Investors Bank. The description on the Montclair Film Festival's website tells the story best.

"When a flag was raised in the middle of Passaic Valley High School's gymnasium in 1941, the founders of the event known as Girls Show had no idea the rivalry they were creating between Team Green and Team White, would be passed down for generations. Evolving from a celebration of girls' equality in the field of athletics, the event has become a cornerstone of the community. Director David Krantz's 'Girls Show' takes us behind the scenes, detailing the preparation and history that informs the most important, hotly debated, and beloved night of the year."

When you consider that Title IX wasn't passed into law until 1972, Passaic Valley had clearly transcended an important gender gap by putting so much into a girls athletic competition.

"There are females from 8 to 88 who are incredibly passionate about Girls Show," said Krantz. "And as much as we did the film work during practices, the actual night of the event is something impossible to describe. The filming of the actual show, with a 27-foot crane there, was very intense."

The film centers on the 2012 Girls Show, and Krantz feels the work the kids put in can help shape a lifetime of success.

"It might not be something a girl will put on her college resume, but the preparation, the marketing, the management and time that it takes to succeed in Girls Show can go a long way in that girls' life," he said.

Bear in mind that there could be best friends, sisters and cousins who are on opposite sides for Girls Show. There are T-shirts and sweatshirts signifying whether you're a Green or White supporter. The event is sold out way in advance of the show. Practices begin nearly six months earlier, where choreography for the dance competitions, along with the much needed athleticism for the gymnastics events make the show something very special.

And while the show is about the girls, don't discount what the PV boys do to make it special. Their support from the stands and cheering makes it even better, if that's possible.

While Krantz, an accomplished filmmaker, was putting together the project, he was amazed at the way the three communities (Little Falls, Woodland Park and Totowa) come together to support Girls Show.

"There were a lot of great pasta dinners from parents," he said with a laugh. "It's really something special. I think the film will really give people, especially those who aren't familiar with Girls Show, a good understanding."

Krantz will be on hand this Saturday at the Wellmont, and will do a Q&A afterward to discuss the film's production.

In closing, I was unable to attend the 1998 show due to another commitment. But in a time when beepers were the main form of communication, it wasn't surprising that my beeper started ringing off the hook around 9 p.m. on the evening of March 13, 1998. The 'texts' were coming from the captain of the Green dance team, Rhyan Romaine, sending me the scores of the competition. She had promised to send them, and while the messages were somewhat jumbled on a beeper, the message was clear. It was Green's night. I'll never forget it. Wonderful kids that year, on both teams. And that tradition continues to transcend time.

See next week's issue for part two of this look at Passaic Valley's annual tradition and the film.

W.P. — Borough officials are planning sweeping improvements to Zaccaria Park and Rose Place Park that could include new walking paths, playground and tennis court surfaces, skateboard park and a turf soccer field.

“We’re looking to improve both parks,” said Mayor Keith Kazmark, adding that both are “tremendously used” and already destinations for area residents.

Improvements to Zaccaria Park would include a floating dock at Henderson Pond, sun shelters, picnic tables, a synthetic turf soccer field with lighting, more playground equipment and an expansion of the parking lot.

“It’s just not adequate parking and there’s not additional spillover parking,” Kazmark said.

The park would also add a skateboard park to serve a growing community of skateboarders. Some of them contacted Kazmark and said they go as far as Woodbridge and Edison to skate, he said.

There would also be a path to connect the park to Rose Place Park, which is also set to undergo revamping with a new walk path, lighting for the field house, a new swing set, a new playground surface, benches, light poles and signs. The tennis court surface and lights also would be replaced.

Cost estimates are still being revised but could run around $750,000, Kazmark said.

Funding would come from local and county open-space trust funds and outside grants, as well as a bond ordinance that is set to be introduced next month, Kazmark said.

The debt service for the bond, estimated at $40,000 to $60,000 per year, would come from the local trust fund, for which the borough already collects $160,000 each year for capital improvements.

Even as the borough plans the park upgrades, it is pursuing grant money for more work to the parks: a walk track around Henderson pond and a synthetic-turf soccer field with lighting at Zaccaria Park. Kazmark said those projects are years away.

The host of upgrades and how they would be funded were discussed at a town hall meeting at Aldo P. Napoli Community Room last Monday.

The borough’s McBride Avenue streetscape project also received a big boost this month with the announcement of a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation. The project is designed to install decorative street lights, pavers between the curb and sidewalk, benches and planters along McBride Avenue from the Paterson border at Glover Avenue, to the Little Falls border at Route 46, Kazmark said.

The transportation grant reward adds to the $250,000 the borough received last year for the project under the state Municipal Aid program, which funds road improvement projects involving resurfacings, reconstruction or rehabilitation, and signalization. The borough also has $30,000 from the county’s Corridor Enhancement program, Kazmark said. That program is designed to link the county’s 16 towns and cities along corridors such as McBride Avenue, and to spur economic development in those areas.

The $530,000 in funding won’t cover the full length of McBride Avenue but, “We’ll take it as far as the money takes us,” beginning at the Glover Avenue end, Kazmark said. Later phases of the project would be undertaken once the borough secures funding.

WP DPW out in force filing potholes with the new hot patch machine we purchased jointly with Totowa and Little Falls, spearheaded by Councilman Vincent DeCesare. This equipment saves our employees a significant amount of time getting to these potholes. Great job guys!

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Marion (Douma) StartThursday, March 12, 2015

Sone more info. on Mr. Suglia was included in today's obit in PASSAIC VALLEY TODAY newspaper:
(It includes info. on a speaker at Monday's Mass at Holy Angels who graduated PV in 1964; Tony Pike, an exchange student, came all the way from England to eulogize Mr4. Suglia.

The cause was complications from diabetes, said his daughter, Toni McClure.

Suglia, a Navy radar expert who participated in World War II's Battle of Okinawa, arrived at Passaic Valley in 1949 after graduating from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

Suglia was a popular social studies teacher and class adviser and an assistant football coach and head coach of varsity basketball.

Over three consecutive summers in the 1960s, he completed a master's in economics at the University of Illinois. He then incorporated economics into his lesson plans at Passaic Valley.

"He taught the kids practical things, such as the stock market, banking, why to invest, how to invest," his daughter said.

Influenced curriculum

In 1975, Suglia was recruited by the Joint Council on Economic Education, which provides curriculum tools and support to schoolteachers.

As a director of the Manhattan-based organization (now the Council for Economic Education), Suglia traveled widely among universities and Fortune 500 companies.

He missed the classroom, his daughter said, "but felt he was reaching more students by working for the council. He believed it was important that everyone knew how the economy worked, and he couldn't achieve that by staying at Passaic Valley. He felt he was still teaching, but he was teaching the teachers."

Tony Pike, a British exchange student who graduated from Passaic Valley in 1964, was taught American history by Suglia.

"You always remember a good teacher, one who was firm and fair, and he was firm and fair," said Pike, who added that discussion was at the core of Suglia's teaching style.

"He would never say 'I think this' or 'I think that,' Pike said. "He made you think about things and work it out yourself. What a clever man."

Pike, who is in the diamond business, eulogized Suglia on Monday at Holy Angels R.C. Church in Little Falls. He was among 40 former students who paid their respects, and he came the farthest; he lives in England and South Africa.

Suglia, who served on the Little Falls Board of Education from 1986 to 1992, is survived by his wife of 63 years, Juel; his daughter, of Woodland Hills, Calif.; three siblings, and two grandsons. A son, Michael, died in 1977.

Ran into this guy today... He hangs out at the 5 and Diner Delux on Bell and 114th He hasn't changed a bit

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Marion (Douma) StartFriday, March 6, 2015

Anthony Suglia Obituary, 88, of Little Falls died Thursday. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania to the late Paul and Margaret (nee Rodio) Suglia, Mr. Suglia resided in Little Falls since 1949. He taught Social Studies at Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, retiring as the Chairman of the Department in 1975. While at Passaic Valley, he was the Head Basketball Coach and Asst. Football Coach. After retirement from Passaic Valley, Mr. Suglia, became the Head Basketball Coach at Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson. He then joined the Joint Council on Economic Education in New York, NY as the Director of Councils and Centers, which included traveling throughout the United States, Korea and Japan. Mr. Suglia served in the US Navy from 1944-46 during World War II. He was aboard the USS Portsmouth, participated in the Battle of Okinawa and trained as an original radar expert. He graduated from Kutztown University and earned post graduate degrees from Montclair State University and University of Illinois. Mr. Suglia was a parishioner of Holy Angels R.C. Church, Little Falls and was a member of the American Legion of Little Falls. He had also been a member of the Little Falls Library Board and was an avid golfer as a member of Rockaway River Country Club in Denville. Mr. Suglia was predeceased by his son, Michael P. Suglia, in 1977 and by his brother, Carmen Suglia. Survivors include: his wife of 63 years, the former Juel Moll; his daughter, Toni McClure of Woodland Hill, Ca.; his English son, Tony Pike; his two grandsons, Michael Grossman and Matthew Dobbs; his two brothers, Albert Suglia of Birdsboro, Pa. and John Suglia of Long Island, NY; and his sister, Pauline Lando of Reading, PA. Please meet for a Funeral Liturgy 10:30 AM Monday at Holy Angels RC Church, 465 Main St., Little Falls. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Visitation on Sunday from 2-6 PM at Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, 47 Main St., Little Falls. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Michael P. Suglia Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Passaic Valley High School, East Main St., Little Falls, NJ 07424. Visit www.bizub.com for driving directions/online condolences. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-suglia&pid=174329247&fhid=17036#sthash.j3gcjuIS.dpuf

Glad to see the 2015 Community Calendar & Recycling Schedule has been delivered! Keep in mind this years calendar is a 13 month calendar and will take us through January 2016! A special thanks to Fairway Market for again designing, printing and mailing the calendars at no charge to the Borough of Woodland Park! It is also available online at wpnj.us!

another Facebook ruler measuring the "blizzard" snowfall -- this one's from a LF UMChurch member who lives in W.P. on Rifle Camp Road: (sure seemed like we shovelled a lot more snow that what's pictured below)

This water tank with the name "West Paterson" on it is going to get repainted, however, it remains to be seen whether the town will repaint it with the words "Woodland Park." Officials say it has to do with costs.

Kokolus, Paul Paul Kokolus, 84, of Ballietsville, died July 7 in Weston Senior Living, Northampton. He was married to Marjorie A. (Gavlick) Kokolus for 58 years. Born in N.Whitehall Twp., he was the son of the late Prokip and Anastasia (Rychtoworski) Kokolus. A graduate of East Stroudsburg University, he received his master's degree from Colgate University. He taught at Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, NJ for 25 years. Retiring from teaching, he was the owner of Kokolus Builders. A Korean War veteran, he served his country honorably as a corporal in the army. He was a member Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Whitehall. Survivors: Wife, sons, John and his wife Debra of Coplay, Michael and his wife Maureen of Sommerville, SC, daughters, Patricia wife of Steve Kronman of Montville, NJ, Janet Martin of Venice, FL, Marie wife of James Fischbach of Little Falls, NJ; Barbara wife of Thomas Kolor of Clarence Center, NY; 10 grandchildren; brother, Stanley; sisters, Rose Chromiak, Julie Guthrie. He was preceded in death brothers John, Michael and William and sisters, Ann, Mary, and Victoria.

W.P. trolley rides take riders on a trip back in time

W.P. - It was literally a trip back in time, complete with a red trolley and friendly conductor, dressed in top hat and bow tie.

staff photos by tina pappas

The Woodland Park Historical Society ran several trolley rides Sunday to commemorate the borough centennial. Pictured is Rick Lijoi, president of the Historical Society who served as tour guide, flanked by Lynda Hade (left) centennial committee member/trolley ride coordinator and Marge Hasko (right) retired district school teacher. Also pictured are Roger and Barbara Wood, owners of Magic Years Preschool, along with Mayor Keith Kazmark and Passaic County Freeholder Pat Lepore, during a plaque dedication for the historic visit made to the building by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Continuing this year's centennial celebration, the Borough of Woodland Park held three special historic trolley ride tours though the borough on Sunday. The tours were coordinated through the town's historical society and Lynda Hade, centennial committee member, initially came up with the idea. According to Hade, in the 30s, a trolley ran through the borough from Paterson to the Singac section of Little Falls. The aim was to relive the experience of the ride while detailing the historical landmarks along the way.

"From speaking with town residents, I learned they really wanted to do this trolley ride," Hade explained. "So I spent three days on the phone looking for trolley companies and I found this one, which has red trolleys to boot. The Long Branch Trolley Co. was paid through the committee for use of their trolley for three hour long tours through the town."

Marge Hasko, present member of the Little Falls Women's Club and former Woodland Park School District teacher of over 30 years, also assisted with planning the trolley rides.

"It was a terrific idea and I assisted them with getting everything organized," she said.

According to Rick Lijoi, president of the historical society, it was a perfect occasion to hold these tours, coinciding with the borough's 100th birthday celebration.

"I have all this information stored in my head, some of it which I like to call useless," he quipped. "But many people are very interested in the history and landmarks of the borough. Also, many of them don't realize the historical significance associated with many of the landmarks, which they may come across everyday in town."

Taking passengers on a guided tour, he began the first leg of the trip at Dowling Parkway, through McBride Avenue and Whippany Avenue, through to Bergen Boulevard and then continued back onto McBride through Lackawanna Avenue.

Among some of the interesting sites Lijoi informed riders about was the borough's first library location on Whippany Avenue, now a residential home, a building which now houses a company on Bergen Boulevard that used to be the town's first hotel, and the strip mall which used to be part of Dowling Farms and Estates. He also noted the parking lot area of Kearfott Corporation, which was used as an amusement park and entertainment during the 20s and 30s.

A special trolley stop was made at Magic Years Preschool on Lackawanna Avenue, where local officials and owners of the preschool dedicated a plaque to commemorate the 1966 visit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The building was originally the home of Rev. Deual Rice, active in the Civil Rights movement, who served as pastor of the Union Baptist Church, located in Montclair. King spoke in honor of his retirement at the church, and then afterwards, made a visit to him at his home.

The idea for the plaque dedication came from Mayor Keith Kazmark, who told the gathering that he learned of the historic visit when he read the monthly newsletter for Magic Years. Kazmark and council members, along with Passaic County Freeholder Pat Lepore, County Clerk Kristin Corrado, and Roger and Barbara Wood, owners of Magic Years, dedicated the county funded marker.

"I've told people every year since we opened in 1978, the fact that Dr. King made a visit here," said Roger Wood, adding that he and his wife felt the plaque dedication was a fitting tribute to King's legacy and as a historical marker for those who weren't aware about the visit.

"I also feel proud that we continue in that tradition and take part in the philosophy that we treat all the children who attend preschool here the same, and without regard to their race, ethnicity, creed or religion."

Barbara Wood echoed the sentiment.

"It's wonderful that many people will now realize this interesting historical fact about this building, which has such a homey and safe feel to it and we've always ran it in our newsletters over the years," she said. "The borough's library also dedicated this children's book 'Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,' so that the children who attend here can also learn about his visit."

The trolley trip continued up Rifle Camp Road and past Bromilow's Chocolate, which used to be a church and then eventually became School No. 2, Lijoi told passengers. The ride continued up Weaseldrift Road, where Lijoi continued his folklore and detailed some interesting and factual events of some of the homes that were built centuries ago.

"The reason why Rifle Camp Road is named is that during the American Revolution back in 1776 it was actually an encampment for George Washington's soldiers," he said. "The historical society would like to continue to put up markers letting people know what went on during that period in time."

He then told passengers about the push to make West Paterson a borough in 1914.

"It was called then West Park, part of Little Falls and it started in 1912. They felt it was unfair that taxes were going to Little Falls and they felt taxes should come here. They finally got a group together to get their own government. Finally after a couple of tries, the final vote successful vote came, with only about 200 people who voted because it was mostly woods up here and farmland," adding that the area would bring people from the hustle and bustle of surrounding cities, like Paterson, to what they considered the country, and an opportunity to take part in recreational and leisurely activities.

The trip continued down to Glover Avenue and then to McBride Avenue, where Lijoi continued to make passengers visualize the era of the trolley in the borough.

"Think about when it was a hot day - you came on the trolley, you got off the trolley and you paid 5 cents to cool off as Hoosier's Pool, adding that it had a pavilion where people could change into their swimsuits and also attend dances that were held there." He also added that Libby's hot dogs began here selling candy and ice cream.

The trolley then made a pit stop at the Knights of Columbus building, where passengers were treated to refreshments. Dressed in period attire was Theresa Nick, a retired Woodland Park school teacher, who along with her husband Roger, hosted the stopover.

Afterwards, the trolley took passengers to a couple of more sites before it returned to Dowling Gardens bringing the ride to an end. For some passengers, taking with them a glimpse back in time gives a different perspective the next time they encounter some of the featured sites on the tour, according to Dr. Mark Salemi, who rode on the trolley with his family.

"This was very special," said Salemi. "It was definitely a trip worth taking and there are many things I learned about the town today, which I didn't know beforehand."

Email: pappast@northjersey.com

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/woodland-park-trolley-rides-take-riders-on-a-trip-back-in-time-1.1094197?page=all#sthash.qD1xpgro.dpuf

'Monday night club' members are gathering at Jill's shore place (Brick, NJ) this weekend; the Pennsylvanians (Carol and Ruthie) and Dot are already there; today Barbara, Sandy, and I will arrive for just today; Dot & Jill will continue the Labor Day celebration with a trek to Atlantic City -- hope they win loads of money!

Facebook posting from last night's dedication of W.P.'s town clock -- iy'd nrrn on McBride Ave. for a while now and actually shows the correct time!
The next time I go back on Facebook I'll copy one of the photos of the top of the clock (quite attractive).

(Kelly, who took the photo below, is Lucille Antonucci Pryor's daughter)

Since I don't have everyone's email address I would like to thank here 2all my friends and classmates for the cards and well wishes. I'm progressing slowly ( open heart valve replacement takes a lot out of you). They tell me it usually takes 4 to 6 months to fully recover, but as everyone knows we aren't getting any younger, but I feel better every day so that's a good thing. Thanks again for all the cards and well wishes. Skip.

Hi dear pals and classmates. Sure hope we will be able to have another reunion soon. Our one in 2012 was just wonderful. Look at the classmates we have lost just since then. You all are a precious memory to me from our school years. Love to all, jan

Here's the obit. on Frank Campiglia (it never appeared up here in our local papers, but Warren Damiano found it -- don't know what TBO.com is):

CAMPIGLIA, Frank M. on May 14, 2014 was called to Heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ after 73 years of a full life on Earth. Frank was the eldest of three children by Joseph and Christina Campiglia. He grew up in Totowa, NJ and graduated from Passaic Valley High School. In 1960 at the age of 20, Frank married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Devone, of Newark, NJ and began night school at Pace University. His career in finance began at Kearfott, at the time a subsidiary of Singer. One year later their only child, Frank Joseph, was born. Frank's career with Singer moved the family around the metropolitan New York area finally settling in Parsippany, NJ. Frank eventually changed employers, moving to Howe Richardson, holding positions of Global CFO and General Manager of US operations. His time at Howe led to Frank and Pat's love for travel and they were fortunate to travel throughout Europe. During this period Frank was also able to develop his love for the game of golf which brought him many lifelong friends. Frank and Pat retired to Apollo Beach, Florida in 2002; but Frank could never stay retired and he began his second career with Clextral Inc. in Tampa where he worked right up to his passing. Frank is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia, son, Frank, and daughter-in-law, Mercy. He leaves grandchildren, Jessica, Joseph, John, Frank and Anthony. He also leaves great-grandchildren, Alysa and Aaron. Frank is also survived by his brother, Anthony, sister, JoAnn Eglin, and six nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 10:00AM at the Church of Christ the King in New Vernon, NJ. Hours of Visitation will be from 2-4 PM and & 7-9 PM on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Doyle Funeral Home, 106 Maple Ave. Morristown, NJ. (www.doylefh.com)

Facebook photo of the closing fireworks to W.P.'s 100th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 17th:

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Marion (Douma) StartSaturday, May 17, 2014

Facebook photo of W.P.'s 100th anniversary parade today, May 17th (95 years as West Paterson 5 years as Woodland Park) -- picture shows the corner of Pompton Ave. & McBride Ave. There are 100 lines of those colorful flags (25 flags on each of those lines -- that's 2,500 flags) along McBride from Ryle Park Avenue to Pompton Avenue -- the parade was five hours long (a couple dozen marching bands, firemen/vehicles from all over NJ, etc., etc., and the picnic behind the school will end tonight with fireworks at 9:00 p.m.!

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Marion (Douma) Start Monday, May 12, 2014

Happy Mother's Day, only one day late:

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Lina Dutches ColangeloThursday, May 1, 2014

Judy Guide Oswald passed away yesterday, 4/30. Services will be @ Parker-Bizub Funeral Home Sat, 5/3 @ 9:15 AM followed by services @ Holy Angels R.C. Church @ 10 AM. Visiting hours will be 4-8 on Friday 5/2. Interment @ Laurel Grove Memorial Park. Donations may be made to Eagle Rescue Squad, PO Box 203, Little Falls, NJ o7424.
Judy is survived by her husband of 52 years Edward--former police chief in LF and PV graduate in1956, 2 sons and 3 grandsons.
Judy graduated Montclair State and had a long teaching career. After retiring, she continued to substitute teach.

Dear Classmates:
Hope I can attach this Fact Checkers article. If I cannot please do some history on Judge Kithil's 2009 letter at this site. As usual his letter is no more than what some folks want to hear about how bad Obamacare is. It is not a perfect law it is simply a small step in the right direction It is a free enterprise plan . It is not socialim. A better plan would have been Medicare for all however Obama could not or would not accomplish this. Medicare is the most efficient healthcare insurance plan in our country. It is not perfect either-no laws created by men or women are.. Even now millions of dollars have been spent by conservative groups to destroy this small improvement (Obamacare) in our healthcare insurance system. There is so much more to say but I do not believe our highschool reunion site is the place for political battles. This most egregious blog just cried out for rebuttal. My e-mail is diffspokes@msn.com.
Walt ngtonpost.com > Politics > Fact Checker

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In an award-winning journalism career spanning nearly three decades, Glenn Kessler has covered foreign policy, economic policy, the White House, Congress, politics, airline safety and Wall Street. He was The Washington Post's chief State Department reporter for nine years, traveling around the world with three different Secretaries of State. Before that, he covered tax and budget policy for The Washington Post and also served as the newspaper's national business editor. More »

A judge's letter on health care and an email gone viral

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By Glenn Kessler

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"YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS: ObamaCare Highlighted by Page Number ...All of the above should give you the point blank ammo you need to support your opposition to Obamacare. Please send this information on to all of your email contacts."--excerpts from an email zooming around the United States

Zygmunt Plater, a professor at Boston College Law School, sent The Fact Checker a copy of the above email, which purports to be an analysis of the new health care law by a judge, complete with page citations. Plater's brother, Marek, had sent him a copy of the email, asking if it could be verified, after receiving it Wednesday from a senior official at the company where he works. Under the subject heading of "Read and Heed," the official sent the email to company employees with the notation, "We are now officially out of control." There's some pretty scary stuff in here: cancer care will be rationed according to age, the government would have "real-time access" to an individual's bank accounts, the government will set all doctor's fees, and so forth. So what's truth?

The Facts

Just because it is in an email--or on the Internet--does not make it true, especially when it is woefully out of date.

There is indeed a former county judge named David Kithil who lives in Marble Falls, Texas, which is about 50 miles northeast of Austin. In August, 2009, he wrote a letter to the River Cities Tribune, a local newspaper with a circulation of under 5,000, detailing his objections to one of the health care bills then pending in the House of Representatives--H.R. 3200.

As a former judge of Burnet County, Texas, Kithil is not a health care expert--and congressional language can be obtuse. His analysis is often debatable. The assertion of "real-time access" to bank accounts appears to be referring to a benign section allowing electronic funds transfers. The claim about doctors' fees refers to boilerplate saying the government will not pay less than rates set under Medicare. Similarly, the bill does not ration cancer care, but allows for a study of whether specialty hospitals are charging more for the same service as general hospitals--and then would actually boost payments to general hospitals.

But in any case, he was analyzing a bill that had not yet passed the House. The language was changed before final House passage in November, 2009. Then the Senate in December passed its own, more conservative version of a health care overhaul. By March, 2010, the House accepted much of the Senate bill, with some adjustments. While the email refers to the dangers of so-called "Obamacare," Kithil's letter has little to do with the final version of the legislation--which Kithil readily acknowledges.

"What I wrote about was a bill that never became law," Kithil said in a telephone interview Thursday. He said he has not had an opportunity to go through the final bill, but knows that some of the items that had concerned him were not enacted into law.

But the letter is certainly an email and Internet sensation. A Google search for "David Kithil and Obamacare" turns up nearly 2,000 examples of his letter posted on websites, blogs and forums--including as recently as this month. Kithil said that someone had called the newspaper and asked permission to put the letter in an email. The next thing he knew, he was getting calls from around the country. The calls have actually picked up in recent weeks, he said, adding: "It really shows the power of the Internet."

The Pinocchio Test

The lesson here is that facts need to come from reputable, credible sources, not an email chain. Kithil is in many ways an innocent bystander. He never claimed to be an expert and merely offered his opinion to the local newspaper. There are many critiques of the health care law, both from the left and right, which have been written by health care and legislative experts. That's where people need to go for more information.

Four Pinocchios--not to Kithil, but to anyone who keeps forwarding this email.

*If you don't read this, and do nothing about it, don't complain when it
affects you or your loved ones!!!!! This is the second Judge to have read
the Obama Care document and made comments. More highlights of Nancy 's
"pass it and Then find out what's in the bill"!!!!!! Show this to
everyone nearing the ripe old age of 76. These are just a few of the things
that we Seniors are going to have to deal with starting in 2014. Even far
left Democrats will not like these.*

*MEDICARE AT AGE 76, IMPORTANT PLEASE READ - ANYONE WHO DOUBTS THIS IS
TRUE CAN DOWNLOAD THE NEW OBAMA CARE AND LOOK UP THE PAGES MENTIONED. THIS
IS JUST THE BEGINNING......................PLEASE PASS THIS OUTRAGE TO
EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!!! THIS should be read by everyone, especially
important to those over 75....... If you are younger, then it may apply to
your parents....*

*Your hospital Medicare admittance has just changed under Obama Care. You
must be admitted by your primary Physician in order for Medicare to pay for
it! If you are admitted by an emergency room doctor it is treated as
outpatient care where hospital costs are not covered. This is only the tip
of the iceberg for Obama Care. Just wait to see what happens in this year
and 2014!*

*YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS... At age 76 when you most need it most,
you are not eligible for cancer treatment * see page 272. What Nancy Pelosi
didn't want us to know until after the healthcare bill was passed. Remember
she said, "We have to pass the Bill so that we can see what's in it." Well,
here it is.*

*Obama Care Highlighted by Page Number THE CARE BILL HB 3200 JUDGE KITHIL
IS THE 2ND OFFICIAL WHO HAS OUTLINED THESE PARTS OF THE CARE BILL. Judge
Kithil of Marble Falls , TX - highlighted the most egregious pages of
HB3200 Please read this....... especially the reference to pages 58 & 59
JUDGE KITHIL wrote: ** Page 50/section 152: The bill will provide
insurance to all non-U.S. residents, even if they are here illegally.*

*** Page 58 and 59: The government will have real-time access to an
individual's bank account and will have the authority to make electronic
fund transfers from those accounts.*

*** Page 65/section 164: The plan will be subsidized (by the government)
for all union members, union retirees and for community organizations (such
as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN) *

*** Page 203/line 14-15: The tax imposed under this section will not be
treated as a tax. (How could anybody in their right mind come up with
that?)*

*** Page 241 and 253: Doctors will all be paid the same regardless of
specialty, and the government will set all doctors' fees. *
*This is what they do in Sweden too. I know because Alf's daughter Ann is
an OBGYN, and her husband, Thorsten, is a surgeon.........*

*** Page 317 and 321: The government will impose a prohibition on hospital
expansion; however, communities may petition for an exception.*

*** Page 425, line 4-12: The government mandates advance-care planning
consultations. Those on Social Security will be required to attend an
"end-of-life planning" seminar every five years. (Death counseling..)*

*** Page 429, line 13-25: The government will specify which doctors can
write an end-of-life order.*

*HAD ENOUGH???? Judge Kithil then goes on to identify: "Finally, it is
specifically stated that this bill will not apply to members of Congress. *

*No wonder they did not see the need to read it....doesn't apply to
them!!! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO STAND UP TO WASHINGTON .... I don't
know if we can do anything, but awareness helps.*

*Winds Of Change -- Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward
this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask
each of those to do likewise. At least 20 if you can. It has to stop
somewhere. *
*In three days, most people in The United States of America will have this
message. This is one idea that really should be passed around*

3/6/14 Passaia Valley Today article:
CONTINUING THE TRADITION
PVHS held its annual Girls Show on Friday night (2/28/14). The sold-out crowd at PVHS Griswold Gymnasium was treated to performances bvy several groups from both the Green and White teams. The Green team won the overall award for the 15th consecutive year.
Four photos showed: the Cirque DuSoleil group from the White Team making dual pyramids; an army of Avatars representing the Green team; the Green team's Cruella de Vil group jumping in unison as they perform; and a line of Jack Skellingtons from "Nightmare Before Christmas" representing the White team.

Here's Piccolo's email with the info. on his Harmony Singers of Wayne holiday concert this year --their concert last year was fantastic -- don't miss it, if you're available:

Nov 14

Greetings Friends and Relatives,

Time flies when you're having fun. Christmas and Hanukkah are around the corner and once again my choral group, The Harmony Singers will be presenting its annual holiday program on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at 3 PM. The location is the same as last year, Pompton Reformed Church at 59 Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes, NJ. Tickets are $15 and can be pre-ordered by contacting me and they will be held at the door. You can also purchase at the door as long as there isn't a sell-out.

We have a new Director and Accompanist this season as our previous professionals have moved on to bigger and better things in their music teaching careers. The transition has been seamless and you can expect our very best effort as always.

Take time this w/e to honor and remember the men and women who have served our country in order that we may continue to be a free nation.
Many in our class enlisted in the army, navy or air force right after high school rather than wait to be drafted. If they were lucky, they were able to serve their time before we got heavily involved in Vietnam. Others went on to make a career out of their military time--John Zarpaylic, John Giger, and Joe Walker to name a few. While I don't know the service history of everyone, I do know about a few.
John Zarpaylic joined the Air Force and became a navigator although his dream was always to be a pilot. Finally after several years, he qualified for pilot training. He went on to fly many missions in Vietnam as well as being stationed in Germany.
He later taught at the Academy in Colorado Springs and wound up retiring to the Colorado mountains.
Jim Galoppa left at the end of our Jr. year to join the Marines. After serving his enlistment, Jim returned to PV and did his Sr. year. Twenty years later, when his son joined the Navy, Jim joined the Naval reserves. He saw active duty during Desert Storm and later in Hawaii. He retired in 2000 after 20 years. Jim was the first in our class to go in service and the last to leave it. By the way, his son went on to serve over 30 years in the Navy and retired as a Commander last year.
Regardless of their length of service or the branch they served in, every veteran deserves to be remembered and honored for their contribution to our freedom. So this w/e , if you have a chance, treat a vet to something special and if possible, display the flag. ( As I rode through my community yesterday, it was wonderful to see all the lawns that were edged with American flags.)
Freedom isn't free. These men have made it possible through their service. Show them we appreciate what they have done for us.
TO ALL THE VETERANS IN THE CLASS--THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

LATTIMORE, Robert P., 74, a lifelong resident of Little Falls passed away at home on October 31, 2013. Beloved son of the late Raymond and Elizabeth (Dondero) Lattimore. Devoted brother of the late George J. Lattimore, USMC (retired). Loving uncle of Debbie Wing and her husband Paul. Dear cousin of Alice Lattimore. Also survived by many friends in Little Falls. Before his retirement, he was a mechanical supervisor at Otis Elevator, Harrison. Previously, he was a history teacher and coach at Passaic Valley Regional High School, Little Falls. He served in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam era. A memorial gathering will be held Monday, 6 to 8 pm at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Tpke, Little Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to American Cancer Society, 20 Mercer St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memorial Program, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day weekend -- Monday night "club' members (& husbands) are heading to Jill Roselene Demore's shore house in Brick, NJ, for our annual end-of-summer get-together (it will be good to see our PA members (Carol Winschuh Brown and Ruth Wells Stephens & spouses); we'll only be missing Marion Rich Freund Boonan, whio won't be trekking up from FL this year.

For a few weeks now, I've been unsuccessfully trying to enter hometown news items, etc., on our website -- Lina is checking to try to determine what the problem is (nothing I "copy" shows up when I "paste."

In the meantime, for local PV news articles, you can go onto: : :::passaicvalleyalumni.com -- and access many pages of PV news -- it's not necessary to join that website to read what's posted.

The latest news from here in L.F. is an early morning stabbing on Jacobus Avenue! You can read about it on: northjersey.com -- more details are to follow.

New Jersey State Police Ticketing:Here's the latest NJ State Police Initiative (Radio Station 101.5 confirmed this info).

Starting July 28, New Jersey will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. One million dollars will go to pay state troopers over-time.

There will be 50 state troopers on duty at all times patrolling the 9 main intersections and highways as follows:

I-295 North and South,
I-95 Jersey Turnpike North and South,
I-80 East and West,
I-287 North and South,
I-78 East and West,
I-195 East and West,
I-280 East and West,
Route 130 - North and South,
Garden State Parkway - North and South

5 MPH above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes.

They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria cruisers and are bringing in all of their part-timers on full time. If you work in NJ, NY, DE or CT, you will probably be on one of these highways. So, please be on guard and drive safely!

Starting August 15, the price of a violation to show your driver's license, registration or insurance card at the time you are stopped, increased from $44.00 to $173.00. (Keep these documents in your car). And the fine for not having all three documents is $519.00!

The fine for hand-held cell phone use while driving will be going up to $180.00,

Please forward this to people in NJ or any one using the NJ Highways, and let them know of this latest Police Initiative.

New Jersey State Police Ticketing:Here's the latest NJ State Police Initiative (Radio Station 101.5 confirmed this info).

Starting July 28, New Jersey will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. One million dollars will go to pay state troopers over-time.

There will be 50 state troopers on duty at all times patrolling the 9 main intersections and highways as follows:

I-295 North and South,
I-95 Jersey Turnpike North and South,
I-80 East and West,
I-287 North and South,
I-78 East and West,
I-195 East and West,
I-280 East and West,
Route 130 - North and South,
Garden State Parkway - North and South

5 MPH above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes.

They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria cruisers and are bringing in all of their part-timers on full time. If you work in NJ, NY, DE or CT, you will probably be on one of these highways. So, please be on guard and drive safely!

Starting August 15, the price of a violation to show your driver's license, registration or insurance card at the time you are stopped, increased from $44.00 to $173.00. (Keep these documents in your car). And the fine for not having all three documents is $519.00!

The fine for hand-held cell phone use while driving will be going up to $180.00,

Please forward this to people in NJ or any one using the NJ Highways, and let them know of this latest Police Initiative.

New Jersey State Police Ticketing:Here's the latest NJ State Police Initiative (Radio Station 101.5 confirmed this info).

Starting July 28, New Jersey will launch a 30-day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. One million dollars will go to pay state troopers over-time.

There will be 50 state troopers on duty at all times patrolling the 9 main intersections and highways as follows:

I-295 North and South,
I-95 Jersey Turnpike North and South,
I-80 East and West,
I-287 North and South,
I-78 East and West,
I-195 East and West,
I-280 East and West,
Route 130 - North and South,
Garden State Parkway - North and South

5 MPH above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes.

They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria cruisers and are bringing in all of their part-timers on full time. If you work in NJ, NY, DE or CT, you will probably be on one of these highways. So, please be on guard and drive safely!

Starting August 15, the price of a violation to show your driver's license, registration or insurance card at the time you are stopped, increased from $44.00 to $173.00. (Keep these documents in your car). And the fine for not having all three documents is $519.00!

The fine for hand-held cell phone use while driving will be going up to $180.00,

Please forward this to people in NJ or any one using the NJ Highways, and let them know of this latest Police Initiative.

The end of this week, don't miss the PVHS production of "The Wedding Singer," -- Julia Piccolo (PVHS senior & granddaughter of our own Piccolo) paticipating. Newspaper article covering this show is posted on 'HOMETOWN NEWS" on this website.

The Harmony Singers spring concert is Sunday, May 5 at the YMCA on 1 Pike Drive, Wayne, NJ. at 3 PM. Same location as last year (former YMHA). Unfortunately, it is necessary to raise ticket prices due to increased costs of operating our organization. Tickets $15, children under 12 are free.

We have a great program titled "Oh Freedom" which will have broad appeal. More details can be seen on our website including a couple of samples to listen to:

www.harmonysingersnj.org

Tickets available through me in advance, or at the door the day of the concert.

Hope to see you there. We can have dinner together afterwards like last time, if you like.

I'm sending this because I want to "Plug" a movie I'd love for you all to see. It was produced by one of my former American Film Institute students, Nina Leidersdorff, written and directed by her husband, Alonso Mayo - also an AFI alum, but not one of my students. It's: THE STORY OF LUKE.

THE STORY OF LUKE is not a Bible story. It's about a 19-year-old autistic boy who wants to "grow up." He recently lost his grandmother, who raised and educated him; his grandfather is in ill health; he has to live with his uncle and his uncle's bickering, angry family. Luke has been over-protected and sheltered all his life. Now he wants to go out, get a job, meet a girl and...have adventures. Sensitively written, with humor and emotional involvement, this movie is involving, charming and ultimately rewarding. Luke is played by a young actor, Lou Taylor Pucci, who turns in an outstanding performance -- and he's a New Jersey boy, born and bred! The rest of the cast is also excellent.

You can see THE STORY OF LUKE in a theater or (better) download it on iTunes or On Demand. All viewings count toward the film's "box office," which will help it get international distribution. I hope you'll take time out -- only an hour and forty minutes -- to watch THE STORY OF LUKE.

This is the second major area of progress in flood mitigation in as many weeks. The removal of the debris in the area where the Peckman River meets the Passaic River along Bergen Blvd. (W.P.) is a significant accomplishment. Thanks to the advocacy of the PV Regional Flood Board and the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission this work effort is underway and will remove many of the obstructions that can worsen flash flooding. This project follows the removal of the flash boards near the Great Falls in Paterson. There is no magic wand at the local level to eliminate flooding, but this is certainly progress.

Passaic Valley High School held its annual Girls Show last Friday night, 3/1/13, inside the Griswold gymnasium. The White team won for exercise, including relays and novelties, while the Green team tookcheer, dance & poster categories for the overall win. Some of the presentations comprised of Captain America, Batman, and Harry Houdini ensembles.

There was a mini get-together in Fl on 1/27/13. There were 8 classmates there to socialize and have dinner. Bob Luckenbach, Tom Tullo, John Zarpaylic --came from CO, Bob Thompson, Judie Vanderkraats Holmes, Donna Stokes Degrechie--from VT., Hildegarde Tomasch Brazzle and myself. This would be Hilde's last get-together as a Villager as she has sold her home here to go live closer to her son. Tony Olivito-class of '56--and Lorainne Federoff--class of '59 also joined us.

The next AM Vena Marshall Searcy joined Donna, Judie and I for breakfast at my house. Vena had not seen either of them since graduation and since they grew up together , they had a lot of things to talk about and remember.

About 18 gals attended the 1/25/13 lunch at the Barnyard, Totowa; most were class of '57 as well as a couple from the class of '56, etc.We all enjoyed cake for dessert to celebrate Maggie Smith's birthday, which is today, 1/29/13, so happy birthday again, Maggie.Due to the weather yesterday, Sandy DiLoreto has moved the regular mtg. of the Monday night club to tonight, Tuesday, 1/29/13. at her house in Totowa.

"Dear friends & family,Dennis & his brother Robert worked on a couple of projectS:- various shots for "21 JUMP STREET," which is now available on DVD or being run on TV.- a Devo music video ("Monster Man") where two "monsters" fight for power, wrecking a city scene in the process.Dennis is also spending a lot of time learning new software for CGI effects and photographic presentation. He is also working on putting together a book of his own photographs -- hopefully targeted for publication sometime in the new year of 2013.I'm still teaching at the American Film Institute, scriptwriting courses for TV and film. This spring I'll have a new class I initiated in web series creation and writing. So many people are getting into writing, creating, and presenting material on YouTube, etc., that it's becoming the "new place" to debut or sell your work.This year I've been blessed with a new agent, who is getting my scripts out there and read. For the first time in 20 years, I have someone who is doing this for me, instead of sitting back and letting me get my own writing jobs. Hooray!!We lost our old cat, Claudius, in July. He was 18 years 4 months old. That left us with our beautiful little girl, Christie (12), and Captain Marvel (3). We decided we wouldn't take on any new kitten. And then .... we met a little fluffy gold-and-white guy whose mom and littermates had been saved by a friend of ours. Result: Sunspot is now a part of our lives.Our travels this year were to Vegas in March and December, to Michigan in July to see Dennis's family and friends, and to NJ in late May/early June to visit my family and friends and to attend my 55th P.V.H.S. reunion. On that trip, we went down to Sandy Hook and saw different historic places in and around S.H. and the Highlands. It was with sadness that we watched Hurricane Sandy make a tremendous mess and horrific loss in that area in October.Here's wishing all of you joy, peace, health, and happiness in 2013!Love, Dorothy and Dennis"

Tickets may be purchased at the door, or from one of our members. Open seating.

éThe facility is handicap accessible.

This program is funded in part by the Passaic County cultural and Heritage Council at Passaic County Community College, through a grant from the NJ State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Hats off to Ethel Douma who set up and "managed" our fantastic 11/28/12 day-in-NYC. Our lunch at Broadway Joe's Restaurant was delicious, and the Broadway show "Newsies" was fabulous. The bus from and back to Clifton moved us right along in the bus lane, while other traffic lanes crawled bumper-to-bumper.Thank you, Ethel, for handling everything perfectly! Don't miss our next NY outing -- more than half the bus was fillled with PVHS '57, '56, or other PV graduates, with Ethel coming up with the rest of the seats on the bus from among others who live at Sisco Village, Wayne (including Ellie who was Ethel's cabinmate on our 2007 cruise to Mexico (our 50th celebration) -- it was great to see Ellie again.

Nov. 17th - Saturday - 10 - 4 PM and then thereafter - Helping with Sandy Relief - ABC and the Business Association - joining together to help with the Sandy Relief Fund - we will be Collecting - Clothing, Infant needs, Cleaning Supplies, Pet Supplies, Bedding, Hygiene Items, Medical Essentials - you can drop off your greatly appreciated items at Expert Tires 333 Main Street Bldg 2 on Saturday Nov. 17th from 10 to 4 or any day thereafter you can also drop off your donated items at the UPS Store across from PVHS..... we are also working with Rutherford and they will deliver all items to the Towns that are in need.

Nov. 24th Small Business Saturday Main Street -(if you have American Express card and you spend $25.00 or more on your purchase you will receive a $25.00 credit ).

Come, all who are storm-weary.Come, all who are weak from gathering dozens of fallen tree limbs, and tired from sitting in long gas lines.Come, all who are frustrated from fumbling with matches in the dark, and from searching for enough batteries to keep the flashlights burning.Let us celebrate the gift of another day, as we offer our thanks and praise!

obit. on the daughter of Janice Johns MacDougall and George Radcliffe:

Susan Lynn Boby

Obituary

DINGMANS FERRY, Pa. - Susan Lynn Boby, 45, of Dingmans Ferry, Pa., lay to rest with the Lord with her daughter by her side on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, N.Y., after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Dec. 6, 1966, in Pompton Plains to George Radcliffe Sr. and Janice MacDougall. She attended High Point Regional High School in Wantage before transferring to Delaware Valley High School, Milford, Pa., in her senior year. She received her paralegal education from Pennsylvania State University and served as a paralegal to Weinstein, Schneider, Kannebacker & Lakuta law office in Milford, Pa., for 11 years before changing careers to become an executive assistant at Orange Regional Medical Center. She was the "doll" of the hospital for 14 years, according to her coworkers.

Susan wed the love of her life, Rick Boby, on June 20, 1992, in Pike County, Pa., and enjoyed spending time hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling. She was known to make delicious canned food items after spending hours picking strawberries, blueberries, apples and tomatoes. Her dry sense of humor, compassion, willingness to help others and bright smile made it easy to be loved by those who were blessed to have met her. Some of her friends describe her as "an amazing woman in character and strength", "someone who planted seeds of patience, understanding, compassion and thoughtfulness" and "a legacy of love."

She is survived by her husband, Rick Boby; two daughters, Katrina Emerick and her fiance, Ryan Roa, and Madison Boby, all of Dingmans Ferry, Pa.; parents, Janice MacDougall and husband, Bill MacDougall, of Augusta, and George Radcliffe Sr. and wife, Liz Radcliffe; two siblings, Becky Gratcofsky and her spouse, Eddie Gratcofsky, and George Radcliffe Jr. and his spouse, Maggie Radcliffe, all of Dingmans Ferry, Pa., and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Steven and Brian Radcliffe.

A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Niels H. Neilson officiating. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family, please call Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 570-828-7411. Interment will take place at Delaware Cemetery, Dingmans Ferry, Pa., private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her daughter's education fund: C/O The Dime Bank, 1824 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328, with checks made payable to Madison P. Boby.

Thank you to the physicians, nurses and the rest of the caring staff at Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, New York, N.Y., and at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, N.Y.

"Believe in yourself - in the power you have to control your own life, day by day, Believe in the strength that you have deep inside, and your faith will help show you the way. Believe in tomorrow and what it will bring. Let a hopeful heart carry you through, For the things will work out if you trust and believe there's no limit to what you can do." - Emily Matthews

Here is yet another of those sad messages. George Nicholas died on Monday of an apparent heart attack. George spent most of his life on the police force in his hometown --WP. He is survived by a son and daughter. His wife passed away 3 years ago.Funeral arrangement s are incomplete at this time, but will be from Santangelo's in WP. Will post them at a later time.His address is: 43 Cedarhurst Ave. WP 07424

"He was my rock," said his wife, Carolyn Pellegrino, 73. Wednesday was the couple's 53rd anniversary. "We are devastated."

In his own way, Mr. Pellegrino was also a rock to others.

Nurses at Morristown Memorial came in on their day off to check on him, his wife said. "It usually doesn't happen," his wife said. "That's how he affected them."

And he was a rock to firefighters, she said.

"He helped everybody, he helped all the firemen, the EMT's, helped them get promotions, helped everybody," Carolyn Pellegrino said.

Besides his long career in the Fire Department, Mr. Pellegrino had also been a broker. He retired as vice president of investments at Oppenheimer Co., Wayne, in 2006.

Mr. Pellegrino's graying hair and tinted glasses gave him a grandfatherly look, but the appearance was deceiving. Over the years, he earned the nickname "General-Alarm Joe" for all the big fires his tour caught.

"You are not going to replace a guy like Joe Pellegrino," said Marty Perrone, CQ 64, of West Milford, who retired from the department with Mr. Pellegrino in 2002. "He was like a father to me, a brother. There was no better boss."

Perrone recalled a two-alarm fire where he rushed into a house, came back out, and complained about a burned neck. Mr. Pellegrino threw a bottle of water on his neck, and blurted, "You're OK, go back in."

Norman Morley and Mr. Pellegrino rose through the ranks together. "He was one of those studious guys, into the books, and he really loved the Fire Department," said Morley, 73, of Wayne, who retired in 2003. "Joe was always a gentleman."

Although he had been a member of the Paterson department for 39 years, Mr. Pellegrino was not the type to bring the fires home with him.

"He never talked about it," said a son, Joseph Pellegrino, 52, of Lake Hopatcong. "He could have the worst day in the world and he was fine. The next morning he was in his broker's firm at 8 a.m., and he would stay until 5 p.m."

After he retired, Mr. Pellegrino, still made rounds at fire headquarters on Madison Avenue, his favorite spot for monthly card games with firefighters.

"He would get his calendar out every year and say, 'Oh, my tour |is working, my guys, I have to |go down there'," his son, Joseph Pellegrino, Joseph said.

Some firefighters, the son said, weren't always happy to see him. "He won all the time," the son said.

Born and raised in North Caldwell, Mr. Pellegrino graduated from Passaic Valley High School in 1954, where he met his wife.

He was a member of the N.J. State FMBA New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, the Paterson Fireman's Firemen's Association, and the Retired Fireman's Firemen's Association. He graduated summa cum laude from William Paterson University with a degree in criminal justice and public safety, and also was an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Milford, Pa.; and sons, Joseph of Lake Hopatcong and Jeffrey of Augusta, N.J.; and grandchildren, Gianna, Lauren and Ryan. Mr. Pellegrino's brother, Terence Pellegrino, a retired Paterson Fire Department battalion chief, died in March 2012.

The family will receive friends Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls. A funeral Mass will be held said Saturday at 10 a.m. at Holy Angels R.C. Church, Little Falls. Interment will follow Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John A. Nicosia Scholarship Fund, 66 Woodside Ave., Hawthorne, N.J. NJ 07506, or a to a charity of your one's choice would be appreciated.

I am sorry that the reunion pictures have been delayed in being put on the web. I waited to get pictures from a few people other than myself. Then I had my monitor die. I am working off a laptop at present until my new monitor arrives and I am not able to do any picture postings. I will make that a top priority as soon as I get my monitor. Keep checking and hopefully they will be added soon. In the meantime if there is anyone else who has pictures, please feel free to forward them to me. Thanks.

BYRNE Joan M. (nee Schmitt), age 73, of Totowa at rest in Totowa on July 23, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Bernard E. Byrne (2007). Loving mother of Barbara J. Byrne of Totowa, Bernard M. Byrne and his wife Joanne of Totowa and Ernest J. Byrne and his wife Joyce of Totowa. Dear grandmother of Jessica Williams, Bernard J. Byrne, Meghan Lyn Toth, Kyle Toth and Colin, Gavin and Owen Byrne. Dear great grandmother of Xavier Michael Williams. Loving sister of Evelyn Kramer of Hackettstown and the late Robert E. Schmitt (1987). Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and her beloved pet granddogs, Shammie, Emmy and Morgan. Born in Paterson, she lived in Totowa for most of her life. She was a Bank Teller for Harrah's Entertainment, Las Vegas, NV., for fifteen years before retiring in 2009. Mrs. Byrne was an all around sports fan and avid bingo player. She also loved watching her grandchildren play sports. Cremation will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Little Critters Fund, C/O Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, 754 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 would be appreciated. Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa has been consigned with the arrangements. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com

Received word today that Joan Schmitt Byrne passed away yesterday. She had just been diagnosed a week ago with a tumor on her lung and was getting ready to start treatment. However, that was not to be. She was residing in the Boro and there will be no services.

Before the days of Dylan , or the dawn of Camelot.There lived a race of innocents, and they were you and me, For Ike was in the White House in that land where we were born,Where navels were for oranges, and Peyton Place was porn.

We longed for love and romance, and waited for our Prince,

Eddie Fisher married Liz, and no one's seen him since.

We danced to 'Little Darlin,' and sang to 'Stagger Lee'And cried for Buddy Holly in the Land That Made Me, Me.

Only girls wore earrings then, and 3 was one too many,And only boys wore flat-top cuts, except for Jean McKinney.

And only in our wildest dreams did we expect to see

A boy named George with Lipstick, in the Land That Made Me,Me.

We fell for Frankie Avalon, Annette was oh, so nice,

And when they made a movie, they never made it twice.

We didn't have a Star Trek Five, or Psycho Two and Three,Or Rocky-Rambo Twenty in the Land That Made Me, Me.

Miss Kitty had a heart of gold, and Chester had a limp,And Reagan was a Democrat whose co-star was a chimp.

We had a Mr. Wizard, but not a Mr. T,

And Oprah couldn't talk yet, in the Land That Made Me, Me.We had our share of heroes, we never thought they'd go,At least not Bobby Darin, or Marilyn Monroe.

For youth was still eternal, and life was yet to be,

And Elvis was forever in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We'd never seen the rock band that was Grateful to be Dead,And Airplanes weren't named Jefferson , and Zeppelins were not Led.

And Beatles lived in gardens then, and Monkees lived in trees,Madonna was Mary in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We'd never heard of microwaves, or telephones in cars,

And babies might be bottle-fed, but they were not grown in jars.

And pumping iron got wrinkles out, and 'gay' meant fancy-free,And dorms were never co-Ed in the Land That Made Me, Me.

We hadn't seen enough of jets to talk about the lag,And microchips were what was left at the bottom of the bag.

And hardware was a box of nails, and bytes came from a flea,And rocket ships were fiction in the Land That Made Me, Me.

T-Birds came with portholes, and side shows came with freaks,And bathing suits came big enough to cover both your cheeks.

And Coke came just in bottles, and skirts below the knee,And Castro came to power near the Land That Made Me, Me.

We had no Crest with Fluoride, we had no Hill Street Blues,

We had no patterned pantyhose or Lipton herbal tea

Or prime-time ads for those dysfunctions in the Land That Made Me,Me.

There were no golden arches, no Perrier to chill,

And fish were not called Wanda, and cats were not called Bill.

And middle-aged was 35 and old was forty-three,And ancient were our parents in the Land That Made Me, Me.

But all things have a season, or so we've heard them say,And now instead of Maybelline we swear by Retin-A.They send us invitations to join AARP,

We've come a long way, baby, from the Land That Made Me, Me.So now we face a brave new world in slightly larger jeans,

And wonder why they're using smaller print in magazines.And we tell our children's children of the way it used to be,Long ago and far away in the Land That Made Me, Me.

I received a copy of the PV '52 newsletter from my cousin (I'm attending their 60th reunion at the L.F. Woman's Club on Oct. 6 this year). One of their classmates keeps in touch with Tony Suglia, who thanked the class for sending him their 2-page newsletter; the classmate also wrote that Mr. Suglia "looks great -- he plays golf several times a week and he must be good -- so far in his life he has scored his age four times! That classmate told Mr. Suglia that he might do that, too, if he lived to be 125! Bill Devine (another PV '52 classmate) & a number of other PV '52 classmates saw Tony Suglia at the PV Education Foundation beefsteak held at the Brownstone last December." The current issue of the PV '52 newsletter indicates their missing classmates: Virginia Abbot, Josephine Cetrano, Ethel Crooke DeGraff, Joan Jenkins, Judith McLoughlin, Iris Mittler, Frank Rinaldi, and Anthony Nobrega (if anyone can provide a current address info. for any of these missing PV '52 classmates, give me the info. & I'll pass it on to Bill Devine -- I'll also provide that class with a list of our missing '57 classmates, in case they can come up with current info. on any of our classmates that we've been unable to locate -- their class would have graduated PV in June the year we started PV in Sept.) -- many thanks.

After 64 years together, Little Falls couple Steve and Polly Gerdy die hours apartWEDNESDAY JULY 11, 2012, 12:28 AMBY JAY LEVINSTAFF WRITERTHE RECORDPRINT | E-MAILOne of the most enduring tableaus in Little Falls was of Steve and Polly Gerdy relaxing in wicker chairs on their front porch.Steve and Polly Gerdy of Little Falls — he a football coach at four North Jersey high schools, she a longtime volunteer at a soup kitchen — died last week a day apart. They'd been married since 1948.“They read, did crossword puzzles, visited with neighbors and just watched the world go by,” said their daughter, Jeannie Gerdy.Tall and burly, Steve Gerdy looked every inch the tough-as-nails high school football coach he was for decades — the perfect complement to his petite wife, who was known for her kaleidoscopic variety of hats and zeal for volunteering.The Gerdys’ journey began more than six decades ago in western Pennsylvania. They raised four children inLittle Falls and doted on their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren — all the while inspiring countless young people through their work in the schools.Their love story concluded last week when they died 17 hours apart.Mr. Gerdy, who led four North Jersey football programs from the 1950s to the ’90s, died on the Fourth of July. Mrs. Gerdy, a dedicated soup kitchen volunteer, died the next day.He was 89. She was 87.Infirmities put the couple in separate hospitals — Mr. Gerdy at Chilton in Pequannock, Mrs. Gerdy at St. Joseph’s in Paterson — in their last days.Mr. Gerdy had undergone 11 knee surgeries and “ultimately his body started quitting on him,” their daughter said, and Mrs. Gerdy, a two-time cancer survivor, had lung damage caused by radiation treatments.The Gerdys met at Slippery Rock State College in Pennsylvania. Steve was a student and a football tackle. Polly, whose given name was Pauline, worked as a secretary there.They married in 1948 and moved to Monmouth County for Mr. Gerdy’s first teaching job.They migrated north when Mr. Gerdy, who taught physics, landed a position at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls.Beginning in 1955, Mr. Gerdy racked up a 91-66-2 record, six conference titles and one state sectional title in 18 years as Passaic Valley’s head football coach. He was known to make his players run sprints after a loss. He stepped down as one of North Jersey’s coaching deans.His retirement from the gridiron lasted all of one year.While still a teacher at Passaic Valley, he took over the football program at the now-defunct Paul VI High School in Clifton. In his fourth season, 1978, he led Paul VI to a 9-1 record and a sectional championship. With 17 seniors from that team graduating, Mr. Gerdy retired again — only to resurface three years later as head coach at Paramus Catholic.“I keep turning up like an old penny,” he told The Record in 1981, making light of his half-hearted retirement attempts.He coached Paramus Catholic for six years. The old penny would turn up once more as a head coach — at Saddle Brook.In obvious understatement, Jeannie Gerdy said her father, who stood 6-foot-3, weighed more than 250 pounds and used his booming voice to great effect, “had a passion for coaching.” He continued working as an assistant coach into his 70s. He also had served on the Little Falls and Passaic Valley Regional High School boards of education.“He was a bear, and there are some crazy stories you’d think would’ve scared his players and students away,” Jeannie Gerdy said. “But over time we’ve heard more and more of his former players and students say how much he shaped them.”Jacob Valkenburg, who played running back and defensive back for Mr. Gerdy at Passaic Valley in the late ’50s, said the discipline the coach instilled “got me going toward a career in the Army.”“He was tough and had an impact on everyone who met him,” said Valkenburg, 69 and retired in North Carolina. “I can still picture one thing. Coach Gerdy had the biggest hands I ever saw in my life, and when he grabbed your helmet — and he did that a lot — all you could see were those hands.”Polly Gerdy, who was a secretary in the Little Falls schools for 22 years, was as sweet and nurturing as her husband was gruff and demanding.“She was loved, loved, loved by many, and always put others ahead of her,” her daughter said.Mrs. Gerdy was an institution at Eva’s Village, the social service agency in Paterson. For 23 years, until a few weeks ago, she volunteered every Wednesday as a server in Eva’s soup kitchen.“Even when her health was failing, Polly remained a constant here, and would even come with her portable oxygen tank,” said Donna Fico, the agency’s director of marketing and education.“She wouldn’t let anything come between her and her service to Eva’s. She enjoyed being with us, and we enjoyed seeing her.”Jeannie Gerdy said it was appropriate that her father, a World War II Army veteran and Civil War buff, would die at Chilton Hospital on the Fourth of July. The hospital is across the street from a football field — Pequannock High School’s — and the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3, and the Confederates surrendered Vicksburg, Miss., to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, both in 1863.Jeannie Gerdy said the family believes their mother, who had nearly died the weekend before, understood when she was told that her husband of 64 years had passed away. While emphasizing that her mother was very ill, Jeannie Gerdy said she suspects the news may have hastened her death.Instances of long-married couples dying weeks, days or even hours apart are not uncommon. Researchers have studied the phenomenon. A large 2006 study by a Harvard Medical School doctor and a University of Pennsylvania sociologist found that the death of a wife in the previous 30 days increased a husband’s death risk by 53 percent, and the husband’s death increased the wife’s death risk by 61 percent. The study examined couples older than 65.After Mrs. Gerdy was told that her husband had died, she scribbled a note for the family. It said “cheap funeral” and “great party.” Jeannie Gerdy said she believes her mother was stating her wishes for her own farewell.Those wishes will be honored. The Gerdys were cremated and their memorial service — or great party — will be Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Angels R.C. Church in Little Falls. Arrangements were by Gaita Memorial Home, Little Falls.The Gerdys are survived by their children, Greg of Pennington, Tom of Lynchburg, Va., John of Lancaster, Pa., and Jeannie of Little Falls; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Two more great-grandchildren are due to be born within weeks. Additionally, Mr. Gerdy is survived by his brothers, Walt of Greenville, Pa., and Bill of Orlando, Fla. Email: levin@northjersey.com

from 7/7/12 Bergen Record: Steve and Pauline GerdyObituaryGuest Book"Greg and the Gerdy Family, So very sorry to hear of the..."- Richard BertaniView Sign GERDY Steve, 89, and Pauline (nee Pauley), 87, both of Little Falls, passed away within fifteen hours of each other on July 4th and July 5th, 2012. Married for sixty-four years, they met at Slippery Rock State College, where he was a student and she was a secretary.Steve was born on February 7, 1923, in Slickville, PA. He was a physics teacher at Passaic Valley High School, Little Falls, where he coached the football team for eighteen years. Known as the "Dean of Area Coaches", he also coached at various schools after PVHS. Steve was not exactly known to his players as a soft- spoken man. However, those who came in contact with him on the field or in the classroom learned the value of discipline, hard work and teamwork. A WWII veteran who "exaggerated" his age to enlist, he tried to share his passion for Civil War history with his children by trooping them through battlefields, reading each and every historical marker....twice.Pauline was born on July 15, 1924 in East Brady, PA. She was a secretary for fourteen years in several Little Falls schools. "Polly" was legendary for her kindness, sense of humor and omnipresent hats. Small in stature, but large in heart, her endless concern for others inspired all who came in contact with her. A parishioner of Holy Angels R.C. Church, Little Falls, the lessons she taught were through her actions, as evidenced by her twenty-three years of volunteer service to Eva's Kitchen, Paterson, helping to feed the hungry.Steve and Polly are survived by their children, Greg, Tom, John, Jeannie, and their spouses, as well as nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eva's Kitchen, 393 Main St., Paterson, NJ 07501; or Passaic Valley HS Education Foundation, E. Main St., Little Falls, NJ 07424; or Eagle Rescue Squad, PO Box 16, Little Falls, NJ 07424.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18th. Details will be posted atwww.gaitamemorialhome.comPublished in The Record/Herald News on July 7, 2012

I learned today that Pat Dodson Vermiere passed away a few years ago after a long battle with cancer. I received an e-mail from Bill Moseley who said his twin Betty had been a good friend of Pat's. He saw on the web site that she was on our missing list and wanted to let us know.

Ethel Douma is setting up a bus trip from our area in NJ to/from NYC -- if you can attend or know of ANYONE who'd be interested in joining this excursion, please spread the word and rsvp to Ethel (email/phone # below -- she'd like to hear from everyone by this COMING weekend, July 7 / July 8):

Hi Girls,Have received information for the New York show, lunch and bus transportation to/from NYC. The seat are front Orch. The show choices are: "Newsies" and "Jersey Boys." "Porgy and Bess" will stop playing in September.

The cost for show, bus and lunch for Newsies is $155.50 -- and for Jersey Boys it is $157.50. This include tax and gratituty for lunch.

Lunch will be at Broadway Joes in New York. The lunch consist of

Ceasar Salad, New York Sirloin, Fresh Grilled Salmon Filet, Grilled Chicken breast and Pasta Mariaro Primerva, for dessert New York Cheesecake, Coffee, Tea and Decaf. With the dinner you will get baked potato and vegetable. At the restaurant there is a cash bar if someone would like a drink.

I will need to know what show and what date. Oct 3 or Oct 10. and will need at least forty people.

Hopefully by next Weekend I will get an idea which date and show. Please email me at:

Wanted to report here on the 6/16/12 pizza party at PVHS, when I was interrupted by a couple phone calls -- and inadvertently repeated dropping down the newspaper coverage on the two L.F. residents celebrating their 100th birthdays this year (sorry!). Anyhow, there weren't many (about a half-dozen of us) at the PV pizza party who graduated in the 1950's. But it was fun taking the tour of our alma mater as well as talking to the offspring of our classmates: Mary Manfre's daughter and Don Abrams' daughter and granddaughter attended! The photos of the school posted on Facebook are fantastic and worth viewing.

Mary Yurkowsky Dubowchik blows out the candles on a birthday cake to mark her 100th birthday at a special genealogy event held by the Little Falls Historical Society.

PHOTO BY ANDREW OMELCZUK

Mayor Darlene Post presented and read the two plaques about the centenarians. Baldecchi was not at the ceremony, but Dubowchik credited her longevity to "drinking raw milk and chasing chickens" when she was younger.

Baldecchi was born on Feb. 12, 1912 while Dubowchik was born on July 7, 1912. In that year, two important occurrences happened, Arizona became a state and the Titanic sank.

"I love you all," were the only words Dubowchik said, as she was surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren, and friends.

After the celebration, Maryann Bacsik, a local genealogist, presented a slide show on how to trace your family tree.

She went on to say that once she started to trace her heritage it became addictive and at times she worked until early in the morning.

"Tracing your family not only shows your ancestors, but also tells a story about your family’s lives," she said.

Bacsik also stated that there are mistakes when investigating ancestors.

"Always look for records at home or the homes of relatives," she told the crowd. "After that you should try to look at official records in your town, county, local library, or state."

As Bacsik detailed the various sources that genealogists use, she handed out copies of documents illustrating the records used to establish a family tree.

Ellisisland.org and Ancestry.com are just a few of many on how to trace your roots

Sad to say that Betty Moseley Barrett passed away last week after a 2 month struggle with cancer. Her twin brother Bill is also one of our classmates. You can contact me for Bill's email or address if you wish it.

Also learned that Loretta Hanley is not doing well and has relocated to Indianapolis to be with family after decades of living in Manhatten.She does not have email but you can contact me for her address.

You should know that by today's standards none of us were ever supposed to make it.HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2011

Scenario 1: Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack..1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack. 2011 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies. 2011 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3: Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again. 2011 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt. 1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.. 2011 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse, Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.. 2011 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6: Pedro fails high school English.1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college. 2011 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum.. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

2011 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents - and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:

Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, . Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2011 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Hildegarde Tomasch Brazzle's husband, Roy, passed away on Fri March 30th in The Villages, Fl where they have spent the winter for many years. They were married almost 47 years. A service will be held in The Villages, Fl on Thurs, April 5th and at a later date in PA. If anyone would like to email, send a card, or attend the service, contact me for information.

from a 3/11/12 email from the L.F. A.B.C. (A Better Community) Committee:

Please join us Wed., 3/14/12, 7:30 p.m., for a Special Presentation from a Shen Yun Promotion International member of the Little Falls Community and enjoy a presentation of the World Class American Chinese Performing Arts Company with 5,000 Years of Chinese History... this Major performance will be given in NYC in May. We are fortunate in having this preview just for us... Starts promptly at 7:30

Please also note..... that tickets are on sale for the Semi Finals for the Idol Search. The performers are superb you will not want to miss this exciting event on April 3rd at 7 PM... at the Russian Hall. The Audience is involved by voting for your favorite performer. Please join us.

On Monday, February 27, a group of about 14 members & friends of the PV class of '57 enjoyed dinner out at Grasshopper Too, Wayne (Gloria Cole took some photos so hopefully we'll see them posted on this site. Tomorrow, March, 5, the 'Monday night club' will meet at Sandy DiLoreto Kassebart's, Totowa.

On 1/29, ten classmates and 8 spouses met in The Villages for a couple of hours of socializing followed by dinner at one of the local restaurants. Weather cooperated anfd we were able to meet oudoors by the lake. Some of those attending had not seen each other in 56 years so there was much to talk about.Classmates were: Bob Thompson, Bob Luckenbach, Harry Banks, Tom Fenwick, Tom Tullo, Jim Galoppa, John Zarpaylic ( on vacation from Colorado), Carol Winschuh Brown , Hildegarde Tomasch Brazzle and myself. Tentative date was set for Jan 27th for next year.Have had a couple more notices in the past few weeks about classmates or their families who really need to be remembered in our prayers. So let's continue to keep all of us and our families in our prayers.

Here's Dorothy Fontana's holiday letter (sorry it took me so long to enter it here):"We've had a very busy year. In fact, it feels like we haven't stopped running since July of 1010:As usual, I have been teaching script writing (TV and features) at the American Film Institute in Hollywood. This year, we were named the Number One Film School in the world -- an extremely high honor. I teach two classes in the fall semester and then one in the spring. As always, I am deeply impressed by the intelligence and talent of the students from all over the US and the world. This year, a thesis film produced by one of my students (class of 2010) was awarded both the Student Academy Award and the Student Emmy. Another, which was produced, directed, and edited by three of my class of 2010 students, won the Student BAFTA (British Association of Film & Television Award). I was very proud of all of them.My computer medical education game is on hold, awaiting grant money to go ahead. We hope to hear more in April. On the other hand, Dennis and his brother, Robert, did some work on the upcoming Johnny Depp movie, 21 JUMP STREET (based on the old series, but now a comedy!) and a Devo music video called MONSTER MAN. Other jobs are out for bid, so we don't know what 2012 will bring.I appeared on television twice last year. The producers of BIG BANG THEORY asked me and David Gerrold (another TREK veteran writer) to be background extras in a party sequence titled "The Russian Rocket Reaction"). I tried to let as many people know as I could on short notice. We were in the last scene in the episode -- and you could spot me in my bright pink blazer in the background.I was also interviewed on TREK NATION, a documentary about Gene Roddenberry done by his son, which appeared on the SCIENCE channel. I had been interviewed about four years ago, and it's taken that long to be finished and find a distributor. I had only a day's notice on that, so I couldn't get out the word on it.We visited family and friends in Michigan and New Jersey last July. Why is there never enough time?! And there was a heat wave on in the East while we were there. (Los Angeles was 76 degrees at the same time.)Two trips to Vegas as usual -- in March (the weather was lovely) and in December to attend the National Rodeo Finals (clear but cold). The slot machines were kind to me both times. I came out $100 ahead on each trip, but I'm not giving up my dag job.Our three cats are still with us, although Claudius will be 18 in March and has gone blind. We keep him with us in the master bedroom/bathroom so he will be safe and knows where everything is for comfort (fountain, food, litter box, bed). Christie still looks like a kitten, but is eleven-and-a-half. And, of course, she adores Denny so much she sleeps on him most nights. Captain Marvel is two-and-a-half, a sweet gold boy who loves to play with his toys -- and groom his "Auntie Christie." They are a big part of our lives, and I'm sure we bore folks talking about them!But today is the end of 2011 so we are close to the new year. Have a wonderful holiday season and a beautiful 2012!"

obit. in 1/19/12 local Passaic Co. newspapers:RALSTONRobert Louis, age 45, of Idaho Springs, CO, at rest in Colorado on Jan. 8, 2012. Born in Montclair, NJ, he was raised in Totowa & lived there for most of his life before moving to Colorado 16 years ago. He was a journeyman electrician. Beloved son of John & Marilyn (nee Cerruti [sister of Pat Cerruti Sisti]) Ralston of Totowa. Loving brother of Susan Falone & her husband Louis of Totowa, Ronald Ralston & his wife, Netnapa of Totowa, Amy Schwarz & her husband, Kent of Morris Plains, & Tara Morrison & her husband, Kevin, of Totowa. Dear uncle of Louis John & Chelsea Falone, Jenna & Kaitlyn Morrison, & John Ralston. A memorial service will take place on Sat., Jan. 21, 2012, 1 p.m., at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa Rd., Totowa, NJ, for his family & friends. Committal will be private.

Broken hip getting better . Still painful. Thereapy twice a week at home . Walking ok now. Total initial hospital time over 30 days . Being retired military sure helps on insurance . Old Age is no kids game . Happy New Year 210 259 7868 feel free to call .

As we head into the holiday season and count our blessings, let us remember to keep all our classmates and their families in our prayers. I know there are several who are dealing with serious health issues at present and could use extra prayers. Let's see that they get them.Thanks and take care

"Hello, We will be heading south to spend a few days with Jimmy and family (DC area) on December 8 and then on to Florida. Bob is feeling a lot better, and we thank all for their prayers and good wishes. OUr address in Florida is: l505A Killarney Court, Ocala, Fla. 34472. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a spectacular 2012. Love from Carol and Bob"

Carol/Bob will probably get to FL sometime around the middle of December.

I have had a personal sad time this past week as my brother became critically ill in Pittsburgh. I was able to fly there and have a few good days with him as we reminisced about days gone by. We were also able to celebrate his 81st birthday on Nov 8th. He died peacefully in a hospice unit on Nov. 10th.

In case you have not visited the classmates pages recently, I have added everyone's yearbook picture. Now, I will try to get information added for so many that we don't have any info. Letters and e-mails will be going out in the next few weeks to everyone. I'm going to ask all our classmates to fill them out as I'm sure there have been alot of changes in the years since many of us put our info in here originally.Info will also be going out soon re: a get together in Fl as well as a reunion in NJ in 2012. Hope lots of folks will think about attending these.

My brother-in-law Don Grossi , PV Class 1948 passed on yesterday at Mountainside Hospital of cancer . He was married to Veronica Walker , PV Class 1954 . Don was born and raised in Totowa Borough . He had 4 children that all live in New Jersey.

We enjoyed the little gathering at the Town Tavern, Little Falls, last night (only five gals were from our PV class of 1957: Barbara Padula, Pat Cerruti, Lois Santillo, Maggie Smith, & myself), but with Barbara's sister Pat, Marion VanValkanberg, Lucille Santolocci, etc., there were nine of us -- Judy Guide was at the Town Tavern last night but couldn't eat with us as she was there with another group (teachers), but at least she did stop by our table.

Today at 12:30 theUnveiling of the 9/11 Memorial and Service for that very horrific day in our History. Truly a magnificent, beautiful monument has been designed, developed and will be remembered by all. We do hope to see everyone there.

Another Reminder...

Oct., 16th 1 to 4 PM the Re-opening of the Morris Canal... Please join us and enjoy the day. The Morris Canal Redevelopment Project only happened because of a great grant from the Open Space Fund from our Passaic County.

Oct. 14th.. 300th Historical Play at PVHS presented by the Women's Club 7:30 PM

Tracey Mulroony

MULROONY Tracey A. (nee Stepp), 45, on October 5, 2011 of Highland Lakes, NJ. Beloved wife of Michael Mulroony. Loving mother of Samantha. Cherished daughter of James and Dorothy Stepp (nee Knebl) of Mahwah, NJ. Dear sister of Jeffrey and wife Linda of Mahwah, NJ. Dear daughter-in-law of Vincent and Margaret Mulroony. Also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, nieces and nephews and especially Carl Rohlfs and wife Jen and Jason and Marissa Stepp. Family was very important to Tracey and she was an amazing woman always ready to help anyone. She was voted Mom of the Year in 2009 by the Vernon Kiwanis. Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave, Ramsey. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Mahwah. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ. Donations may be made in Tracey's name to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure , PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. Please send tributes, memories and condolences to www.vanemburghsneider.com.

Copying prior entry on L.F. 300th celebration this weekend -- this Sunday, 10/2, is the parade down Main Street to PVHS for the townwide picnic starting at 3:00 p.m.:

300th Anniversary of L.F. - ABC will walk in parade, will have a booth selling old fashion candy, olde tyme pop corn machine. We will advertise the Parade in our ads. Suggested that Nowaks be seated on a float in front or behind the ABC banner. , as well as Jess LeProtto, Oct. 2nd.. is the Parade and Picnic.. Oct 1st.. is the Historical Trolley car and tour of LF.. and Oct. 14th.. Historical Play, and Nov. 27th Dinner Dance. .

9/27 email from the Little Falls ABC (A Better Community) Committee inviting all to come to "the tank park" in L.F., off Main St., on 10/9/11:(and don't forget this Sunday, 10/2/11, the parade down Main St. at 1:00 p.m., followed by the picnic @ 3:00 p.m. at PVHS, celebrating L.F.'s 300th anniversary!)

We hope you will all attend the 9/11 Memorial Service with the unveiling of the beautiful 9/11 Monument on

Oct 9th at 12:30 PM at Wilmore Park when the entire Town will come together in remembering a Tragedy that should have never happened.

The W.P. website indicates all three of the W.P. grammar schools are scheduled to hold their first day of classes for the 2011-2012 school year on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19! They're hoping to have the W.P. Post Office finally reopened this coming week on Tuesday, September 20. It's no fun trying to mail a letter & finding the town mailboxes locked!

(not so sure you can download, because I don't see the icon to click on (but it does indicate "click to download Flood.pps," so maybe you will be able to view) -- the chart at the end of this "presentation" indicates the Passaic River was three times higher than what is considered the "flood stage!"

We hope you understand why we feel we should have the Memorial tomorrow, 9/11/11, and we do have permission to do so & we hope you will attend.

We have decided that we will hold a very small memorial at the monument. Very informal...

This day is not about the monument being ready or not and we understand that the same people building the monument are also the same people helping the families that flooded... and we are so very sorry for the troubles with our neighbors in our flooded areas...our hearts go out to them ...... but this is the day this tragedy happened and that many of us feel that this does make the difference and it is about what commenced on this tragic day in history. A day we will never forget, nor should we .. a day we should all come together.

Please feel free to bring your American Flag to the Service and Raise it real high and proud to be an American.

Last week I found a possible link to get in touch with an old friend, but I was in a hurry and told myself I would do it later. I never did get back to it and now the opportunity is lost as that friend has died. I won't do that again because the feeling is awful. Reach out to anyone you are missing in your life today because tomorrow may be too late.

I am sorry to find myself adding another name to our Memorial Page. Dorothy De Block passed away on 8/26/11.Dot had become a nurse and spent her whole life working in the medical field. Dot also lived her whole life in WP.

An e-mail has gone out from John Piccolo re:reunion next year. I hope you all will take the couple of seconds needed to answer. This will enable John to have an idea re:what to do for next year and how many might be interested. Remember "55 and we're not slowing down"

Finally the Passaic/Peckman Rivers are starting to recede today, Wed., 8/31/11; perhaps we in the Ryle Park section of W.P. will no longer be on an island at some poinht tomorrow! But, I understand Routes 46 & 23 are closed, so what good will it do us to get out of W.P. by car??? Well, at least we'll then be able to get to stores that are actually open -- everything in our local shopping center (Park West Meadows) is closed. For days now, the National Guard army trucks have been running shuttle services to get people to the other side (& back) of the McBride bridge over the Peckman. The house I'm in (1086 McBride Ave.) was built by my grandfather about a hundred years ago, and there's never been so much water in our basement that I've had to buy a sump pump (which has been going since last night & is barely keeping the level from going up -- some fun! Well, we've only lost electricity for a very short time on Sunday, 8/28/11 so at least I can watch the televised U.S. Open tennis matches & send emails, too!

Our hometowns are experiencing some of the worst flooding they have ever seen. Let's keep all the folks affected by this terrible aftermath of Irene in our prayers. The rivers haven't crested yet and the levels are unbelieveable. I have been seeing pictures on Facebook of some of the areas of WP and it looks very bad.

Have found a page on Facebook called "You Might be from West Paterson if..."Lots of interesting comments being put on there. Testing the memory frequently. Although I lived there for 42 years, I have been gone for 30 and can't remember where some of the streets, etc are that they talk about. Use to know them all as we probably only had 50 streets in the whole town--if that. Don't know if the other towns have similar pages or not. But if you are on Facebook, check it out.

Praying that everyone along the path of this hurricane will be safe. Have been watching it closely and worry about all the folks that are in its path. Thankfully the winds have come down quite abit, but it is so large that the rain is bound to cause flooding. Stay safe.

This message is aimed at any of the folks who may be vacationing in Fl the last w/e in Jan. Last year when we met we decided to have a Fl get together the last w/e of Jan in 2012. Would be happy to have anyone on vacation join us. Let me know if you will be in Fl or if you know someone who will be and they might not have seen this message.

email received today, 8/24/11, from John Zarpaylic in Woodland Park, Colorado:Hi Marion,Woodland Park , NJ, is not the only Woodland Park that got hit by the 8/22/11 earthquake. Woodland Park, CO, also got the shakes. Ours was only a 5.3 and yours was a 5.9. Maybe someone is trying to tell us something. I'm not sure WHO or what the message is, but it is interesting. LOVE JOHNNY

The 40-year-old seismograph at the Rifle Camp Park Astronomical Observatory in Woodland Park shows the 5.9-magnitude earthquake that was felt across much of North Jersey on Tuesday, 8/23/11. “This is probably the closest earthquake of this magnitude that we’ve ever recorded,” said Phil Conroy, the park naturalist who oversees the seismograph.

from the L.F. ABC (A Better Community committee) -- in case you'd like to schedule a trip back to NJ (this is the 300th anniversary of Little Falls) to include any of the below activities:Save the Dates....

9/11/11 Memorial... @ 1 PM @ Memorial Park...

Please the 9/11 committee is in dire need of donations to make the 9/11 Monument. As everyone can see the memorial is being designed and built and you can see this being done at Memorial Park..> If you wish to donate and we hope you will and can help... Please make your checks out to Little Falls 9/11 Memorial Plaza and mail your check to Little Falls 9/11 Memorial Plaza c/o 6 Greenbiriar Road... for further questions please email ... siparit@AOL.COM

Oct. 16th. ... 1 to 4 PM....ABC - Grand Reopening of the Morris Canal all done by a Grant written by ABC to the Open Space Committee - of Passaic County,... New benches, new checkerboard/chess tables, children riding toys, renovated gazebo and benches, new fences, new macadam and landscaping...

The canal is located behind the stores on Main Street between Paterson and Center

here (below) are the minutes of the last mtg. of the L.F. ABC (A Better Community committee):

This Sat. August 6th.. a very special ceremony will take place.

The Beams from the World Trade Center... will come into Town via PVHS @ 9 AM/.... they will travel the Main Street Route to the Municipal Building. The Honor Guard, Fire Dept., Police Dept,... 9/11 Committee will walk behind the Antique Fire Truck where the beams will be carried and will be held at the Municipal building until the 9/11 memorial is made.

Renea

Minutes From July 20th Meeting:

Meerting came to order at 7:20 PM

1. Voted - Certificate of Appreciation to anyone donating more than $100 to ABC. Janice made motion, Lucille 2nd discussion held ... approved

2. Have an email list at our Concerts for people to sign up and join ABC

3. Garden club. watering system. a request was made to the Council person to please look into issue. Plants are wilted. DPW now has a watering truck and they will water the Canal area and Amity Park and any other Town areas ...maybe next year hanging planters on Main Street.

August 3rd meeting at 7 PM ... Garden club with Master Gardeners.... to place memorial flowers for the 9/11 Memorial discussion with Jack Sweezy, Tony Sgobba, Phil Simone...

7. Transit Village... still waiting for meeting with Leroy Gould... Redevelopment Committee and Town Councila and the Mayor working on this issue

8. Grand re-opening for the Morris Canal .. Oct. 16th.. 1 to 4... will have balloons, bubbles, music, give- aways and more

9. 300th Anniversary of L.F. - ABC will walk in parade, will have a booth selling old fashion candy, olde tyme pop corn machine. We will advertise the Parade in our ads. Suggested that Nowacks be seated on a float in front or behind the ABC banner. , as well as Jess LeProtto, Oct. 2nd.. is the Parade and Picnic.. Oct 1st.. is the Historical Trolley car and tour of LF.. and Oct. 14th.. Historical Play, and Nov. 27th Dinner Dance. .

Council -authorized American Traffic Solutions to proceed with application to DOT to install red light cameras in and around Little Falls.

Theater in the Park.. now the LF Repertoire Company.... will be working with the 300th Committee and Women's Club for their Historical play on Oct. 14th. at PVHS. and thereafter, will have different types of theatrical productions.

August 6th...World Trade Center Beams will be brought into Town ... with a small ceremony at the Municipal building.... Main Street from PVHS... Honor Guard, Antique Fire Engine will carry the beams, Fire Dept, Police Dept. 300th Committee .... and anyone wishing to join.

9/11 Memorial.... will be held on 9./11 @ 1 PM... MSU Band, PVHS Band, Maristella, LF Chorale and Clergy from all Faiths .... The memorial will have 3 tiers, will have cascading water and illuminated at night. Ben Shooter of PVHS made the design for this monument. A fund raiser is taking place to raise funds for this memorial. The cost is approx. $15,000 ...

Anyone wishing to donate can do this by sending a check made out to the 9/11 Memorial Plaza Committee.

On July 19, we lunched at the Barnyard, Totowa, with Dorothy Fontana & her husband, Dennis Skotak -- Jill Roselene, Sandy DiLoreto, Dot Amento, Marion Start, and Barbara Winkler along with Barbara's husband, Paul Ward, made eight of us that Tuesday for a delightful gathering. Dot Fontana & Barbara took some pictures, so I hope those pix will find their way onto the class photo albums (I forgot my camera -- sorry). Last week I did get to see Terry Coffey & Phil LaBruto at Phil's sister's wake in L.F. on July 20 and at Millie's funeral at her church in Cedar Grove on July 21.

Condolences to Phil LaBruto on the death of his sister--Mildred LaBruto Francisco, class of '54. Visitation will be 7/20 @ Bizub-Parker Funeral Home in L.F. from 2-4 & 7-9. Services will be 7/21 @ 10AM from Chapel on the Hill in Cedar Grove.

Dorothy Fontana arrives in NJ on Mon., July 18, and on Tuesday, July 19, Sandy DiLoreto is picking her up at 12:30 p.m. for lunch at the Barnyard, Totowa Road, Totowa, NJ. So far, Barbara Winkler, Dottie Amento, Jill Roselene, any myself plan to attend (starting at 12:45--1:00 p.m.) -- hope we're seated at a table in the area where you first enter -- a couple years back, we were at a long table up a couple steps to the right, which was the last time I saw Angella. I'm sure Dot Fontana would love to see any or all who can join us, so you're welcome to come party with us then!

It is with sadness that I have to report that Angella Trevisano Olivito passed away this AM-7/9/11--after a 2 yr battle with cancer. No information is available at present as to where and when services will be held.Angie was married to Tony Olivito from the class of '56 for close to 50 years.I have had a request to include an address in these notices. The address is: 5440 Pinebark Lane, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

To Little Falls Eighth Grade graduates--Did you have a picture taken at graduation? The program from graduation is there, but no photo. Let me know if you have a graduation picture that we can add. We have WP and Totowa already.

I have added a special page on Facebook for our class. It can be used to blog and let classmates know what is going on. We can share the good, the bad, and the ugly with each other.If you are on facebook and did not receive a notice about this page, send me a message on Facebook. I will see that you can access the page.

For all the folks who no longer live in the HS area,Have you taken note of the page called Home Town News? Marion Douma Start places a couple of items a week on this site. Unfortunately, right now the most recent ones will be found on the bottom of the column. I am trying to find a way to reverse it and bring current ones to the top but haven't found it just yet.So if you want to find out some of the things going on back home, check out this column.

In looking over the message board, I noted that there is also another message from Doug Herman telling about some of the things a class in Texas had done for their reunion. Some very different ideas. Check out these items on the message board. Looking for any new ides anyone has also. Let's get thinking!Next year is 55. Let's celebrate!!

Hi folks--2012 is closing in on us quickly and we should be starting to plan for our 55th reunion. Would like to know if there are any new ideas out there. What did classmates think about the 52nd get together? The only new suggestion received so far was re:a boat trip around NY that Doug Herman posted on the message board awhile back.Let's put the thinking hats on.Thanks

I am sorry to report that another of our classmates has passed away. Maryann Kusha Burden died on May 17 after a 2 yr battle with multiple myeloma. Visiting will be on Thursday at Gaita Funeral Home and services on Friday in Montclair.

obit's from 5/5/11 Passaic Valley Today weekly newspaper on two of our classmates' moms:Veronica SmolenVeronica A. (nee Smith) Smolen, 93, of L.F. died on April 23, 2011.Smolen was predeceasede by her husband Martin Smolen. She is survived by her children Martin T. Jr.; Ronald and his wife Joan; William J. and wife Peggy; John R. and his wife Bonnie; & Janet Seiferth. She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by 1 grandson.Arrangements: Gaita Memorial Home, L.F.Donations: Family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101.

Wilhelmina RockWilhelmina "Dolly" Rock, 98, of L.F., died on April 25, 2011.Born in Paterson, Rock resided in L.F. all of her life. She had been employed by Prudential Life Insurance Co., formerly of Paterson, where she met her husband, John T. Rock. She was a homemaker and an active volunteer. Rock loved her family, her home, & her church. She always retained a youthful attitude all of her life, according to her friends. She is loved & will be missed by all whom she touched.Rock was a member of St. John Episcopal Church, Montclair, where she was a member with the Tuesday Group.She was predeceased by her husband, John T. Rock, in 1991; by her son, John V. Rock in 2005; and by her sister, Grace Simmons.She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Barnes of Caldwell; her daughter-in-lawl, Clariss Rock of Wayne; her friend, Mary Louise Tomasullo; her 4 grandchildren, Jocelyn Anderson, Cynthia Mizzone, Joanne Clark, & Dr. Sarah Barnes, & her 10 great grandchildren, Thomas, Robert, Jon, Samuel, Alexia & Nicholas Mizzone; John & James Anderson, Natasha & Victoria Clark.Arrangmenets: Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, L.F.Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Sacred Heart School, 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden, NJ 08104-1398.

On Monday, May 16, 6:30 p.m., Donna Cuozzo is joining Barbara Padula & gang at: Porcini's Restaurant, 400 Minisink Rd., Totowa, NJ -- phone: (973) 256-8500. Barbara reserves us two long tables, and we are joined by friends from the PV class of 1956 (see the group photos on our class website from the last get-together at Porcini's a couple years ago). Plan to join the gang then; the more the merrier. The other worthwhile event coming up is PVHS presenting "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on May 12, May 13, and May 14, all performances at 7:30 p.m. in Schneider Auditorium, PVHS, L.F..Lastly, our latest L.F. church bulletin requested prayers for strength on Maryann Kusha's behalf; hopefully she has finished rehab from her last cancer treatment. Let's all remember her in our prayers. I'll see the 'Monday night girls' on May 9, and I'm hoping Dot Dubicki will have a good report on getting rid of her knee pain following her March surgery.HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms, aunts, grandmas, etc., etc.

On March 29, 2011, seven from our class met in The Villages for drinks, dinner and some fun together. Those attending were:Hildegarde Tomasch Brazzle and her husband Roy-they are snowbirds in The Villages, Harry Banks and his wife Maud, Bob Thompson and his wife Carole, Walt De Palma and his wife Helle-they were vacationing in Orlando, Vena Marshall-who wil be moving to The Villages on 4/30, Bob Luckenbach and Lina Dutches Colangelo-both of whom live in The Villages. There are photos from this occasion in the get togethers section of the photo albums.

I attended the 4/13/11 "intergenerational prom" at PVHS and got to chat with Ethel Douma while there. The annual dinner is served by PVHS students, and each year Ethel Douma says she asks the students if they know the words to the PV Alma Mater song; without fail the students do NOT know what we senior citizens are talking about -- when did they stop singing the PV Alma Mater???????????Here are a couple updates on our classmates:Dot (Dubick) Bromley: since her miniscus surgery several weeks ago, Dot has been having sharp pain in her knee from time to time. Also, she undergoes 90-minute physical therapy sessions. She saw the doctor on Tues., 4/12, & he put Dot back on the muscle relaxant for another 2 weeks; then, if the pain is not any better between the medication and the physical therapy, he will give Dot a cortisone shot. (She has another month of physical therapy to get through).Maryann (Kusha) Burdan: Following her recent hospitalization due to another bout of her blood cancer, Maryann has been moved to rehab (I don't know what facility she's recuperating in, but I'll try to find out. In the meantime, let's continue prayers on her behalf as well as for Dot. Many thanks.

3/22/11 Herald News Winter just can't seem to let goA surprise snowfall greeted North Jerseyans on Monday, the first full day of spring, contributing to a series of fender benders that tied up morning rush-hour traffic.Ringwood & Ramsey saw the most snow, with both receiving nearly 2 inches; according to Bob Ziff, a spokesman for the North Jersey Weather Observers, Paramus, Paramus saw a dusting of just under an inch, he said. Morning traffic slowed to a crawl on the northbound Garden State Parkway and on Sections of Routes 4 & 287, authorities said.The snow ended in most areas by 10:30 a.m., when it gave way to a wintry mix & then to rain before ending by early afternoon.Today's weather is expected to be mostly clear & sunny. Rain & snow return to the forecast on Wed., 3/23/11, though little or no accumulation is expected.

3/14/11 Herald News (NJ flood update)Some still can't go home, many roads closedFloodwaters began to recede on Sunday, leaving in their wake thousands of damaged homes & promising a tricky commute for motorists, as many roads will remain closed.The Passaic River crested at L.F. at 4 a.m. on Sunday at 11.8 feet -- nearly 5 feet above flood stage. The river then began its long, steady retreat, but shelters in L.F., Paterson, & Totowa were expected to remain open into the week because many homes are still inundated by water.Getting around, however, is going to be difficult. Route 23 at the Willowbrook Mall is expected to remain closed into today, as are both sides of Route 46 in Fairfield. Chris Dudley, the mall's marketing manager, said he expected the maill to reopen this afternoon.Compounding the traffic problems is the fact that several key roads that connect to Paterson -- McBride Ave. in W.P., Totowa Road in Totowa, & Riverview Drive in L.F. -- are also closed.Hard hit is L.F. where 500 homes have been flooded. It doesn't appear that residents will be able to return to their homes until Tuesday, officials said."Water is going back down ever so slowly. The same roads are closed & nobody is going back to their homes yet," said Fred Batelli, emergency mgmt. coord. for L.F.Nine flood evacuees sought shelter Sunday at the L.F. Civic Ctr. (the old L.F. p.o.) on Warren St., according to the Red Cross. Batelli said more than a dozen streets -- including William St., Fairfield Ave., Woodcliff Ave., Island Ave., & Riverview Circle -- would remain closed today & that residents would be out of their homes at least until Tuesday.Passaic County Freeholder Edward O'Connell, who is liaison to the county's Office of Emergency Mgmt., said it was too soon to say the extent of the damage from the flood. Rep. Bill J. Pascrell, Jr., has written a letter to Pres. Obama asking that he declare a federal disaster. Obama did declare NJ a disaster area following last year's flood.A disaster declaration would trigger a response by the Fed. Emer. Mgmt. Agency, which would be responsible for compiling an overall damage estimate. FEMA would then offer financial assistance to residents & businesses for some damages.The president has not yet responded to the request.

Florida is planning another get-together. This one will be in The Villages on 3/29. Any one who is goin gto be around and would like to join us can e-mail me ldutchespv57@aol.com before 3/12 or bobluckenbach@aol.com after that date. So if you are visiting FL during that time, think about joining us. Walt De Palma is one of the out-of-state folks who will be there that day.

On January 22, 2011, we had a mini Fl. reunion. We had 7 classmates and 5 spouses attending and it was held at Bob and Carole Thompson's house. Bob is a retired chef from Disney's Grand Floridian and prepared a great buffet dinner for us.Others attending were:Bob and Nina Luckenbach, John Zarpaylic, Warren and Jean Visbeck, Tom and Pat Tullo,Harry and Maud Banks and myself. Injuries and illness took several people out of action in the last couple of days before the dinner. We decided to make the weekend before Super Bowl our annual meeting week end. Next year is 1/28-29.

Also looking for some sugestions for the 2012 reunion. Doug Herman had placed a couple of suggestions on the message board, but we welcome any others anyone might have. Would like to plan well in advance so that we could have a good turn out.

Good news! Yesterday, 1/14/11, Rami and Jennifer Demore Amir welcomed their first-born, a bouncing baby boy -- all are doing well -- so, Lina, on the class website, increase the number of grandchildren for Frank and Jilll Roselene Demore from eight to: nine (four boys and five girls) -- what a great way to start off the new year!

At your upcoming get-together, how about you Floridians setting up something (place, time, etc.) for our 55th in 2012? -- if you take into consideration all input received in response to Lina's email, whatever is decided is fine!

A New Year is a special time,And I pray yours will be blessed.May each new day bring happiness,And everything's that's best.

I wish for you God's gifts of love,Joy and hope each day.That you will feel His presence,Every step of the way.

A new beginning filled with love,Is also wished today.Because you are a special friend,In every kind of way.

I look forward to the days ahead,Spending time with friends too.It doesn't matter whether old or new,What matters is friends like you.

Happy New Year to Everyone!!May you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011.Our 55th is coming up next year and we would like to have some ideas as to what people would like for a reunion. If we get started far enough ahead, we might have a better turnout as people will be able to plan better.If your seas were rough and had lots of ups and downs this year, I wish you smooth sailing in 2011.

Remember the "Summer of 42" ? Not easy. It was a nice movie and song . However, most can remember wating for 1957 for some reason. Now it is 2011 we welcome in. Wishing all blessings for a healthy , peaceful and happy New Year ! Walt

FINALLY, my son was able to retrieve his car from Perth Amboy yesterday; however, due to a miserable cold (as a result of our ordeal, I'm sure, he still could not go into work today! (maybe tomorrow) -- below is update on the continuing mess up here in NJ:HAPPY 2011 (HOPE IT'S BETTER THAN 2010!)12/29/10 Herald News newspaperPatience wears thin for many --Some streets impassable two days after stormThe Great Cleanup continued across North Jersey on Tuesday with snow-covered streets & flight delays testing the patience of motorists & commuters, while state officials sought federal aid for counties hit hard by the Blizzard of 2010. "It's never good to have the first storm of the season be a 2-ft. blizzard," said Timothy Collins, supt. of roads in Wayne.Of the 22" of snow that fell in Wayne, Collins was philosophical: "It is what it is."Some ramps on Routes 80, 17, & 46 were shut for snow removal Tues. while others -- including several on Route 280 -- were still in need of plowing & salting, authorities said.The NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway were plowed & traffic was moving, the NJ State Police said.However, patience was beginning to run out on some side streets that remained impassable 2 days after the storm. Residents on one street in Wallington complained that the cleanup was taking longer than usual."It's bedlam!" said JoAnn Lucchetti of Hayward Place. An argument erupted among her neighbors, she said, when snowplow drivers worked for 2 hrs. to free a UPS truck but neglected her snow-covered street."We understand that it takes time, but it's been 3 days," Lucchetti said.Wallington Boro Adm. Victor Baginski said plows cleared every street at least once, including Hayward Place, but residents uncovering their vehicles shoveled the snow back onto the streets.State Senate Pres. Stephen Sweeney, serving as acting gov. in the absence of Gov. Christie & Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, instructed Christie adm. officials to apply for disaster aid & hazard mitigation assistance through the Fed. Emerg. Mgmt. Agency. Sweeney asked state officials to determine the counties hardest hit by the blizzard."Even though the storm has now passed, it will be several days before we have totally cleaned up the mess left for us by Mother Nature," Sweeney said.FairLawn Mayor Joseph Tedeschi estimated the storm might cost $30,000, an amt. the boro could absorb from itd 2010 snow removal budget.In West Milford, where 86 snowplow trucks cleared 22" of snow from 211 miles of roads, Township Adm. Kevin Boyle said it was too early to estimate the cost.West Milford normally budjets $300,000 a year for snow removal, Boyle said. The township already earmarked an additional $200,000 for snow removal this year to cover the aftermath of a Feb. storm."We're hoping the numbers won't be devastating," Boyle said.The city of Passaic spent $17,220 on double-time for 35 public works employees on Sunday. the city paid out the same amount for Monday, said a city spokesman, Keith Furlong.In Englewood, private contractors were brought in to supplement public works crews on deadend streets & cul-de-sacs, under an emergency snow plan approved last year after a Feb. snowstorm shut down parts of the city for days."I'm pleased to report that the DPW stayed with the snowstorm, working with subcontractors, who took care of the smaller streets," Mayor Frank Huttle said Tues. "It seemed to work, & it's really a major change from what we were used to in the past."Emergency room doctors at St. Joseph's Regional Med. Ctr. in Paterson were swamped with snowed-in patients who put off seeking med. attention Sun. & Mon.Tues. was the "perfect storm," said Dr. Mark Rosenberg, St. Joseph's chairman of emergency medicine, referring to the unusually large volume of patient traffic due to the long holiday weekend & the blizzard.Among the storm-related casualties: one person who fell from a roof while trying to clear snow & one struck by ice that fell from a roof.Volunteers for Pascack Valley Meals on Wheels, which had to suspend services on Mon., headed out Tues. to deliver hot food to elderly & disabled residents.Meals director Jean Martin said she was particularly worried about one client in Wash. Township. "I worried that she had no food since Thursday because she relies on our meals," Martin said.Martin called the twonship's public works director, who offered to plow the woman's driveway himself.In Pompton Lakes, some residents worried about flooding, especially where the Ramapo River opens its mouth just above the Pompton Lakes Dam.Andy Elzinga, 74, grabbed a shovel & unclogged the storm sewer in front ofhis house so runoff from the melting snow would have a place to go.With no rain in the forecast until Sun., Elzinga was optimistic. "If the weather stays like this & it melts slow, then we'll be all right," he said.For a 2nd day, first responders from around the state answered a call for help from officials in NYC, where 58 ambulances remained stranded in snowbanks as of Tues. afternoon. the city has been overwhelmed with calls for service, said David Schimmel, the Passaic County emergency mgmt coord. & the mobilization dir. for the NJ State First Aid Council.Squads from Hackensck, W.P., Wayne, Wanaque, Little Falls, & Lincoln Park have helped NYC emergency services personnel keep up with that city's emergency calls since Mon. 15 North Jersey squads, with up to 3 crew members per ambulance, were dispatched Mon. night. 20 were sent Tues. morning, & 20 more were expected to be sent Tues. night."From the feedback I'm getting, they are very busy," Schimmel said, referring to emergency first responders in NY. "For something like this [squad members] will take off from work."Buses returned to service, but NJ Transit trains operated on a modified holiday schedule due to continued weather conditions. The transit agency expects to return to a regular weekday schedule on all rail & bus lines today with a few isolated cancellations expected in the morning due to weather-related equipment issues. (Visit www.njtransit.com for details)Good weather is expected for the rest of the week, with ample sunshine & temperatures expected to ease into the 40s by Fri. or Sat., said Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. But a cold front with some rain is anticipated for the weekend, he said.

My son and I spent two days on the road getting back to W.P. from Christmas in VA! -- our car is still in Perth Amboy where it was towed when we had to abandon it at the NJ Turnpike exit in Woodbridge -- here's a 12/28 editorial report (Bergen Record newspaper) on the mess up here in NJ:Snow day -- Blizzards: The gift that keeps givingBy now the digging out has begun in earnest. But Sunday's blizzard will be with us for days. More lasting will be the cost of the cleanup.And removing snow doesn't come easy or cheap. Sunday's blizzard will collectively cost the state, counties, & towns millions of dollars. Reports of nearly 2 feet of snowfall in the area are common. But some areas were hit even harder: 25 inches in Clifton, 29 inches in Lyndhurst, & 31 inches in Elizabeth. The storm cleanup will surely pile on to the financial woes of cash-strapped municipalities & the state, as well.This last blizzard of 2010 is a reminder why our mothers told us to plan for a rainy (or snowy) day. While municipalities do plan for snow events & emergencies, a blizzard this early in the season could be a harbinger of what is to come. And no municipality can budget for several record-breaking storms in a season.Even if this is the one "big" one for this winter, it packed a wallop. Highways quickly became impassible, airports came to a halt, mass transit was either crippled or stopped in its tracks. Acting Gov. Stephen Sweeney declared a state of emergency. Gov. Christie is out of state for a holiday vacation. For once, Democrats & Republicans would have rejoiced in having the governor's wind-power on hand to blow away some snow.Joking aside, like the gov. & his family, many people are enjoying this holiday week with their families. As challenging as this storm was, it hit when many people are on vacation & schools are closed. The cleanup will be easier with fewer cars traveling still treacherous roads.It also is a good time to remember that NJ has a law that requjires motorists to clean the snow & ice off the tops of their vehicles. It may be an added chore & it may add a large new pile of snow to a cleaned driveway, but that same pile flying off the road of a moving car can cause more than inconvenience to the drivers in its path.State Sen. Donald Norcross, D-Camden, has renewed his call for the Legislature to pass his Anti-Snow Dumping Act. The law would ban private snow removal companies from dumping snow from businesses & private property onto public streets & areas. It passed in the Senate; the Assembly has yet to act. The bill is worth a serious review.We do not want to sound like Scrooge. The blizzard is more than an excuse for legislation or the cause of more financial woe. All of us appreciate the beauty of nature -- of snow-covered hills & picturesque streets damped quiet by a fresh blanket of snow. The little kid in all of us wants to grab the sled or build a snowman.But the adult in us sees that all this natural beauty comes with a heavy price. According to the weather forecasters, temperatures will rise this week. So will the cleanup costs.

I finally returned from NYC, and the details on the death of Stan & Dot Amento Machuszek's son are on the Festa Funeral Home site (FestaMemorial.com), so I've copied the info. & am dropping it below: (I'm so glad that Bob & Carol Winschuh Brown made it out from PA and that Mike Freund as well as all the 'Monday night club members' were there last week to support Dot & family while I was in NYC)

Machuszek, Stanley N. age 43 of Paterson at rest in Paterson on December 12, 2010. Cherished son of Stanley J. and Dorothy (nee Amento) Machuszek of Totowa. Loving Fiancé of Cindi Greco of Paterson. Devoted brother of Debbi Machuszek and her Fiancé Patrick Coyle of Totowa. Beloved Grandson of Dorothy Amento of Berlin, MD. Loving Uncle of Dylan Machuszek of Totowa and Justin, Lauren and Katie Greco of Toms River. Also surviving are many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and his two beloved pet dogs, Sandi and Daisy Mae. Stan was an avid sportsman who loved fishing and hunting. He fished on the river in the "Big Piece" with his many friends. Stan loved the outdoors and would spend every minute he could taking long walks with his beloved dogs, Sandi and Daisy Mae. Born in Paterson, he lived in Totowa for most of his life before moving to Paterson three years ago. He was Owner/Proprietor of S.N.M. Contracting Inc., Paterson for many years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa, on Friday at 8:45 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa at 9:30 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Passaic County Elks Cerebral Palsy Center High School, 15 Union Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07011 would be appreciated.

Sandy (DiLoreto) Kassebart phoned me last night with the sad news that Stan & Dot Amento Machuszek's son, Stan Machuszek, passed away very unexpectedly around suppertime last night -- so, no obit. yet appears in the local papers. I feel bad that I'm leaving tomorrow to spend about a week in NYC, so I won't be around for any funeral arrangements -- I'll have to extend my sympathies to Dottie/Stan when I host 'Monday night club' on 1/10/11 -- since I won't have access to a computer until Christmas week, let me wish all a MERRY EVERYTHING and a HAPPY ALWAYS, too!

Barbara Padula Speziale's brother-in-law's obit. is in today's local papers: JOSEPH G. DiCARLO, married to Barbara's sister Patricia (Padula) DiCarlo for 57 years -- if anyone in the area is interested in the funeral arrangements, they are as follows: friends may visit with the family from 4--7 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 8, at VanderMay Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd., Wayne. Funeral services will be held 9 a.m. on Thurs., Dec. 9 from the funeral home, then to Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 45 Urban Club Rd., Wayne, where a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Hospice of NJ, 400 Broad Acres Dr., #2, Bloomfield, NJ 07003-3156 would be appreciated. For a photo & more info., visit www.vandermay.com

Barbara Padula Speziale's brother in law, Joseph Di Carlo, died in Hospice, yesterday, in St. Joseph's Hospital. Joe was the best son, brother, brother-in-law, husband, and father, grandfather, uncle and person anyone could ask for. He was married to Barbara's sister for 57 years, and in all of those years, there was never any controversies, only happy memories. His whole family will all miss him and are heart- broken to have him gone from their lives. Their only consolation is he is no longer suffering and is in a better place. Please pray for him.

11/15/10 The Record newspaperPassaic Valley Regional High SchoolWebsite: http://www.pvhs.k12.nj.us/Supt. Viktor Joganow said the biiggest challenge facing the district is continuing to offer quality programs despite budget cuts. He said he hopes the district's educational foundation will be able to offset funding shortfalls."Especially with a 2% cap on funding increases, we worry if we will be able to continue to offer all of our current programming given these budgetary restrictions. Will class size increase with reduced financial support that could impact on staffing?"FUNDING: (based on 2008-09 state data)per pupil spending: $15,375STUDENT BODY:Going to college: 53.9%Advanced placement class enrollment: 17.5%Students per teacher: 11.1%STUDENT RACIAL BREAKDOWN:white: 74%; black: 2.9%; Asian: 2.9%;Hispanic: 20.1%STAFF MEDIAN PAYadministrators: $107,959teachers: $57,392average teacher experience: 8 yearsracial breakdown (teachers): white: 96.8%;black: 0.8%; other: 2.4%SOURCES: NJ Dept. of Ed, NJ Treasury Dept.

I just received my copy of the May/Sept. "double" issue of the newsletter of the L.F. Historical Society, Historic Little Falls. All eight pages cover the early history of PVHS and include many photos (Dr. Schneider, Harriet & Elmer Griswold, as well as many sports/clubs photos).A previous issue also featured PVHS and it was not possible to scan onto our website -- however, anyone can join ($10 annual fee):The L.F. Historical Society INc., P.O. Box 1083, L.F., 07424 -- request a copy of their current newsletter when you send in your dues.

Here's the info. on the Passaic Valley Education Foundation's fundraiser coming up in December:beefsteak on Thursday, December 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Brownstone, Paterson. The cost is $50, and they're looking for reservations by November 18. You can email me or phone Sandy (DiLoreto) Kassebart, Totowa, and we will send on the reservations to Debbie Benvenuti who lives in L.F. (she is recently retired after many years working at PVHS and still very active running the PV Foundation's activities. Debbie says the PV classes of 1955 and 1958 always reserve a table (10 or 12 people), so let's see if we can get a table for our class -- I'll talk to my relatives, and maybe Angella can find out if her sister is interested; perhaps Bill Tawpash can line up the guys who didn't make it to the Barnyard earlier this month, to support this worthwhile fundraiser?

Many thanks to Marion Douma Start who has been entering items into the home town news page. Take a look at it. If you have anything to add there, please feel free to do so.If anyone has plans to spend time in FL this winter, let me know. We try to have a little get together every winter and would like to include as many snowbirds as possible.

There have been a lot of photos added to the get togethers album from a couple of different occasions. So take a look and see what friends are doing. There are several different albums, so feel free to upload photos for any of them and I will post them.

A new hometown news page has been added finally so that the folks living out of the area will know what's going on. However, this will only work if some local folks will add comments to it. Marion Start has been very good at adding local news. How about some others helping her out?

If you wish to post photos, be sure names are included to identify who it is. We have all changed a lot and you may not be recognized. This has happened. All photos with names will be posted.

Work with census is finally done and all summer visitors have been here. Now I can get back to my life including updating this site and posting photos I have--if i can figure my camera and my new computer out. Had it down pat on the old computer, but it crashed and now I have to start over on this one.

8/15/10 The Record editorial:"Seaside Lows" -- NJ boardwalk game is tasteless, not satireLeave it to a business in the hometown of "Jersey Shore" to find a way to climb another rung lower on the ladder of tastelessness. If the television reality show wasn't dropping the bar on human behavior enough, a Seaside Heights boardwalk operator decided to limbo even lower.The game at Lucky Leo's on the Seaside Heights boardwalk is called "Walkin Charlie." Participants throw baseballs at plates held by rotating mannequins that are caricatures of famous people. There was Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, the Joker, Michael Jackson, and, oh yes, the president of the U.S., Barack Obama.News of the Obama mannequin went viral. The Secret Service reportedly came to see the game & determine whether people were being encouraged to threaten the president. They were not. The manager of Lucky Leo's has feigned surprise over the flap, citing there was nothing political or partisan about the Obama mannequin. As P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute."After complaints were made, a bag was put over the mannequin's head. Now it's gone, replaced with likenesses of Hillary Clinton & former President George W. Bush.This is a tasteless game. But boardwalks -- and of late Seaside Heights -- make money on tasteless entertainments. We are offended. But there's nothing criminal here. Political figures are burned in effigy, mocked & ridiculed every day & everywhere. And if we live in a democracy where we defend the right of citizens to burn the American flag, we cannot hold a caricature of a sitting or former president to a higher standard.We hope people will not be willing to throw down money to throw baseballs at likenesses of Obama, Bush, or Clinton. It is disrespectful. But this is America. Home of the free. Home of the tasteless. Home of Lucky Leo's in Seaside Heights.

re: Barbara Padula Speziale's son, our Passaic County Sheriff for almost a decade:The Record, August 11, 2010"Former sheriff in line for a big raise -- Port Authority pay could top $200,000Jerry Speziale could earn more than $200,000 in his new position as deputy supt. of the Port Authority Police Dept. & assistant director of public safety, officials said.The former Passaic County sheriff, who earned $151,000 this year, will assume the role of helping manage about 1600 police officers, as well as the safety & security of Port Authority facilities.Past job descriptions have said the deputy supt. also serves as a liaison with federal, state, county, & local law enforcement agencies in the region.Authority spokesman Ron Marsico declined to provide more info. on Speziale's hiring, other than confirming the appt.Speziale replaces Arthur Cifelli, who held the post for about a year and earned around $215,000 officials said. The agency declined to say why Cifelli is leaving.Authority officials were still ironing out the details of Speziale's hiring Tuesday as they prepared to have him fill one of the agency's highest paid posts.The authority's adm. have among the highest salaries of any transportation officials in the area. In 2008, nearly 1200 employees (16.5% of its workforce) earned a base salary of $100,000.That year, the agency had more than three times the percentage of six-figure salary earners than NYC Transit, NJ Transit, & the NJ Turnpike Authority. It also had the most employees who earn more than $200,000.Indeed Cifelli's salary marked a sharp increase over that of his predecessor, Carol Maresca, who earned $165,000 in 2008, according to Port Authority records.Others who held the position or had similar responsibilities included George Johansen, who was first deputy supt. of police & public safety in 2007, and Samuel Plumeri, who was appointed in 2004 after serving 12 years as the Mercer County sheriff and other duties.

We in Passaic County will miss Barbara's son, who did an excellent job for us over all the years he served as our sheriff, as well as the senior luncheons he paid for yearly at the Brownstone -- not to mention all the extra police help provided on many occasions -- the latest being directing the heavy traffic for Frank Demore's funeral, Sandy DiLoreto Kassebart's dad's funeral a few years back, etc., etc. Well, at least every time I bus it into NYC from L.F., I'll feel a lot safer with Jerry as the deputy supt. of NYC Port Authority!

7/29/10 PV Today"Additional federal river relief funds obtained"More money is flowing to find solutiions to flooding along the Peckman & Passaic Rivers.Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-8th) announced on July 21 that a House Appropriations panel approved more than $1.1 million in project requests the congressman made for flooding relief along the rivers."Even in the midst of a heat wave, the residents affected by the flooding of the Passaic & Peckman Rivers last March haven't forgotten what they've endured. Neither have I," Pascrell said in a statement. "This legislation will help the residents near the Peckman River reach a huge milestone by allowing the flood management study to reach its conclusion."The legislation appropriates $620,000 that will go to complete the Peckman River study.Dominick DiDomenico, W.P. councilman and chairman of the P.V. Regional Flood Board, which handles flood-related issues along the Peckman River, called the development "excellent.""This study needs to go on. I wish it would acelerate," he said, adding, "We hope that we an decide on an abatement plan & implement it, because it seems to be going on for too long."The legislation also allocates $500,000 for the Passaic River Basin Flood Management Project, a US Army Corps of Engineers project that facilitates voluntary buyouts of properties in the Passaic River's floodway.L.F. Mayor Michael DeFrancisci, who is on Gov. Chris Christie's Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Task Force, met with the group & was happy to hear that the money is on the way."I'm very pleased that we were ale to get the money to finish up these studies. Hopefully it will lead to some solutions," he said, adding that the task force has made progress in looking at solutions to flooding, but the money is essential. "We can talk about the projects all we want but without the funding, we'll never get the projects done."Totowa residents will also benefit from a more manageable Passaic River."We certqinly have residents impacted by the heavy rains & river flooding," said Mayor John Coiro. "Anything that can help to relieve the water that comes up to people's backyards & basements -- that's certainly welcome"The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommiittee on Energy & Water released the bill on July 15, and the U.S. Senate is scheduled to release its version of the bill."The congressman has been vigilant in making sure the federal govt. has been responsive to this are," said Paul Brubaker, a spokesman for Pascrell. "These appropriations are the next step in being responsive to these communities that have been affected by regular flooding, time & time again."

7/29/10 PV Today"Township gets donation of two military trucks"LITTLE FALLS -- Two big trucks are going to be a big help to township authorities should they need them in the next flood event. And it's not going to cost a lot.The Defense Logistics Agency, an organization that manages surplus equipment for the US Dept. of Defense, donated two military surptrucks, one 2.5 tons and the other 5 tons. The trucks are able to plow through up to six feet of water.Det. Alfred Batelli, local Office of Emergency Management coordinator, said the development is "phenomenal. It'll be a huge help." He indicated that the trucks can go through water nearly as high as the hoods, which on the larger truck is about six feet high."There isn't any place we shouldn't be able to go in the flood area," said Sgt. Daniel Gianduso, who enrolled the township in the federal program that got them the trucks.Police Chief John Dmuchowski said they realized the need for better transportation when they had to respond to a burglary that occurred during flooding that followed the March 12 nor'easter. He said they were only able to respond to that burglary because they had borrowed a utility vehicle from the NJ Forest Fire Service."Without the truck, my officers would have been unable to respond to the home in question without great risk to themselves & fire dept. personnel who operate the township's boats," he said in a news release.Subsequent to the floods, Dmuchowski asked Gianduso to investigate obtaining similar trucks for L.F. Gianduso found the Defense Reutilization & Marketing Service's Law Enforcement Support Office's (LESO) program. The program lends surplus military vehicles to municipalities for extended amounts of time. The sergeant said Wayne, Lincoln Park & Pequannock are among neighboring municipalities that participate in the program. Gianduso filled out the application & checked out various vehicles. "It took almost 4 months of searching," he said.Both diesel trucks have an automatic transmission with power steering, Gianduso said. The smaller truck, an M35A3, built in 1996, has 5,900 miles on it; & the larger truck, an M939, built in 1983, has 1,100 miles on it, he said. Dan Smith, owner of Smitty's Landscaping, assisted the township by transporting fuel to the trucks before their trip to L.F.Batelli & L.F. Police Cpl. John Conti drove the trucks to L.F. from Bordentown & from McGuire AirForce Base.The only cost the township has incurred was the gas for those trips, according to the release. Gianduso said they are still working out the insurance coverage, but that the vehicles would be insured as would any other emergency vehicle.So what's driving a larger-than-average truck like?"It's an experience," Batelli said.

7/22/10 PV Today:"Police urge residents to lock their cars"TOTOWA -- The borough police are cautioning residents to lock their cars & not leave valuable items in them.Police received an increase in reports of valuables stolen from unlocked vehicles across the borough this month, Police Chief Robert Coyle said.He said GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and laptops have been routinely stolen.In every case, Coyle said, the items were stolen from unlocked vehicles.Further details were not available.

Just had to report on the fantastic production of SOUTH PACIFIC at PVHS yesterday -- and, in the audience was Ed Daniels, who wanted to know why everyone in the area who could attend was NOT there -- he had to come down from Dover, NJ, and was overjoyed at sitting in the same auditorium we used to sit in (and that it's now air-conditioned!). Another gal who's in the L.F. book club in which I'm also a member, commented that this PV production was just as good (if not better) than the current Lincoln Center production (and I think she's right!).

Also, this past Saturday, we all attended a surprise 70th birthday party for Jill Roselene Demore -- a wonderful time was had by all, thanks to Jill's daughter Jen & her husband -- we sat by a fantastic inground pool / grounds with available basketball, pingpong, swingset, water volleyball, etc., etc. (enjoyed mostly by Jill's offspring and eight grandchildren). Also attending were Helen & John Piccolo among the 50 or 60 guests. Thank goodness the weather cooperated with the best temperatures all month!

'South Pacific'Passaic Valley Summer Theater presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific." Performances will be held on July 29, 30, 31 at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Aug. 1. All performances will be held at PVHS, 100 E. Main St., L.F. (in the air-conditioned Schneider Auditorium. This program is an exciting theatrical experience performed entirely by students from PV and surrounding towns. Production staff includes Jeff Budd as director & Ken Magos as musical director. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pvtheater.com. For more info., contact Jennifer Shue at 973-890-2500 ext. 2522.This program is sponsored by Passaic Valley Education Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization comprised of parents, educators, alumni, & residents who are devoted to the enrichment & continuing excellence of the high school & the communities it serves.7/22/10 Passaic Valley TodayI'm planning to go to the 8/1 (2 p.m.) show.

Regards from Dorothy Fontana & husband Dennis Skotak who are on a trip from CA -- we took Dorothy out to lunch on July 16 in W.P., while the husbands went for lunch at the Barnyard Restaurant in Totowa -- then we all gathered at Bill & Sandy DiLoreto Kassebart's & spent the afternoon watching the golf from St.Andrews. Dennis has finished up working on special effects for about three films -- one of which is "The Hole" (I understand this movie will be out soon).

how PVHS students did in recent "stock market" game:"PV business students top stock market game"LITTLE FALLS -- PVHS students entered recent business competions, placing in first, second, & third positions to win a sweep.Repeating their winning streak this past fall, PVHS business students measured up to the challenge once again with a sweep during the recent spring session of the Stock Market Game, which ran from Feb. 22 to April 30. Sponsored by PNC Financial Services, Inc. and the SIFMA Foundation, the high school div. competition gives students the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in an online portfolio, according to the Stock Market Game's website. The program involves students spanning elementary , middle, & high school."This team won first in the entire state of NJ," said Kevin Ketcho. "There were 3000 teams from around the state taking part in the spring Stock Market Game, and these students were number one."The students who were the first place winners were: Eric Skyta (captain), Albert Zicker, Erik Barnes, Neny Subara, & NicoleJuskin. Second place winners were Evan Cousins (captain), Jessie Lebiedz, & Nick Giordano. Third place winners were Alex Rivas (captain), Laura Marabondo, John Rajski, & Natalie Paulino."These students have learned so much," added Ketcho. "They've enhanced their financial literacy & are aspiring to become accountants, financial consultants, & other areas of business finance careers. But more importantly, they've learned how to manage money in their own personal lives, which includes lessons that will last them a lifetime. They're learning about finance & also applying it in a practical sense."All members of the teams were honored at an awards ceremony held on June 7 at William Paterson Univ. The ceremony recognized the top teams of both the fall 2009 & spring 2010 Stock Market Game programs."The market uncertainty is everywhere," noted Ketcho. "These PV students have managed to grow their investments a staggering 30%. We are very proud of them.""Passaic Valley today" 7/1/10 issue

Montclair State Univ. vs. L.F. --"Residents bombard MSU spokesman with questions, complaints"LITTLE FALLS -- Area residents bombarded a MSU spokesman with questions about problems they say the univ. has created by increasing their student population & building new residence halls.And although he couldn't answer all the questions, John Shannon promised at the L.F. council's June 21 meeting to strengthen the school's tattered relationship with the community & address the residents' problems with the univ. However, he said that because the univ. needs money, MSU will continue construction of new residence halls, which are expected to bring the univ. money in the form of student housing fees."MSU is state in name only," Shannon said. "In order for us to provide quality education, we need to look at ways to increase our revenues."The new construction includes a 1,987 bed residence hall being constructed through a public-private partnership with Capstone Development Corp, Shannon said. The univ. is also building a 300 bed residence hall, he said. However these residence halls will not increase the student population because the univ. is going to take on previous commuters as residents, Shannon said.Elektra Davis lives on Long Hill Road, less than a mile from MSU, and doubts the univ.'s intent. "They just want to suck up L.F. Basically that's how everyone living near me feels," she said.Shannon attributed part of the univ.'s growing size to population trends."We are looking at a baby boomlet," he said. And in response to a resident's suggestion, Shannon said he would ask univ. officials about creating a new campus to expand the population.L.F. councilwoman Christie Huh told Shannon she wants the township to have representation on MSU's board of trustees. The spokesman said it's an issue univ. officials would have to vote on & that he would ask them.Huh also requested that MSU provide the surrounding municipalities documentation that will show the surrounding communities of L.F., Montclair, & Clifton what MSU's long-term plans are. "We really have to work on the master plan," she said.Upper Mt. Ave. resident Thelma Hundertmark complained that she has to look at high rises the univ. built. "I'm not against the school," she said. "I'm against what they're doing to our homes.Another resident complained of rats that he suspected are the result of construction on MSU. Shannon, however, said they inspect the sites befoe building something that would eliminate the possibility of such contamination. "They do abatement on any construction site," he said. "It might just be a vegetation issue on the Mt. Hebron campus," Shannon said, referring to the nearby Montclair Middle School. Council members agreed to call a workshop at their next council meeting that would address issues relating to the univ. "I think it would be fair to say that you wouldn't be able to answer 75 questions tonight," said council president Joseph Sisco. What questions will be answered (at the workshop) remain to be determined. However, Shannon said, "There will be some things where we agree to disagree." 7/1/10 "Passaic Valley Today" newspaper

update on flooding situation in L.F. area:"River symposium looks at mitigating flooding, clean-up efforts"During the 4th annual Passaic River Symposium at Montclair State University (MSU) there was some disagreement on how to mitigate flooding and clean up the river.U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-8th) told a crowd of more than 300 at the June 22 symposium that municipalities along the river will pick up the tab to fund litigation surrounding the clean-up efforts. Bob Martin, commissioner for the state Dept. of Env. Protection (DEP), however said that NJ has to continue litigation against the companies responsible for damaging the river. Martin said the Attorney General agrees that litigation must continue & that NJ will have to pay $5 million to clean up the river if they do not continue the litigation.Pascrell disagreed saying that the resources allocated to a lawsuit could otherwise be used to help the river. "If the responsible parties are spending more on this lawsuit, it's less they can spend on the river," he said. In a June 22 letter to Gove. Chris Christie, the congressman writes that the state has spent $17 million in legal fees for the suit, and the gov. has allocated $6 million for the lawsuit in the next fiscal year.Pascrell writes in the letter that the litigation has ensnared 70 entities, municipalities & members of the PV Sewerage Commission (PVSC) on the Passaic River. "Most of these municipalities are already struggling to deal with the effects of the financial crisis on their budgets and, in our view, this is a waste of substantial public resources," he writes.L.F., Totowa, & W.P. are among the PVSC's 34 member municipalities & there are an additional 13 municipalities who contribute to the PVSC.Col. John R. Boule, II, commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NY district, spoke about the costs of fixing the river.The March 13 & 14 storms have ramped up the Army Corps efforts to address flooding along the river. "We estimate over $700 million worth of flood damage," Boule said. "Something needs to be done about that." And, as part of those efforts, Boule said, the Army Corps will consider a previous plan to divert waters into the Newark Bay. the study called for a 21-mile long tunnel that would divert waters into the bay.Ella Filippone, exec. dir. of the Passaic River Coalition, a community-based conservation group, however, was skeptical. She said the first step is to buy out homes in flood-prone areas & that the flood tunnel is not the solution. "We've heard some pretty strong promises but we've heard them before," she said7/1/10 "Passaic Valley Today" newspaper

update on the June 23 earthquake effects in W.P.:"Earthquake causes evacuation of W.P. office building"A 5.0 magnitude earthquake centering on the Ontario-Quebec border in Canada was felt in several U.S. cities.Tremors & seismic waves from the so-called "ripple-effect" of the earthquake were felt in northern NJ, particularly in Bergen & Passaic counties. One office building in W.P., located at 1130 McBride Ave., was evacuated for potential structural damage. Calls came into the boro's police dept. notifying police of the incident on June 23 at approx. 2:00 p.m.Police closed off the entire bldg. & immediate area. The nearby school district (#4--now Beatrice Gilmore School & newer Mem. School) dismissed students without any delays.According to Felix Esposito, code enforcement officer for the boro, a bldg. engineer was able to examine the bldg. & found no structural damages were sustained."Employees were permitted to enter the bldg. the next morning & go back to work," said Esposito. "The engineer & I concluded that the reason this bldg. may have been the only one in town affected is due to its proximity to the Peckman where it feeds into the Passaic River. It's built right into the ground below the river bed & the upper structure is supported by stilts. This is similar to the structure of the bldg. in Hackensack that was also evacuated."Dr. Matthew Grossing, chairman of the earth & environmental studies dept. at Montclair State Univ. said the effects felt in NJ were strictly due to the seismic waves of the Canadian earthquake's epicenter & not to any regional earthquakes. The major fault line in this area is the Ramap fault line, which locally runs along Rt. 287. It was historically active but has not had any activity in recent times."The Ramapo fault is a system of faults between the Appalachian Mts. & Piedmont areas to the east. It spans more than 300 kilometers in NY, NJ, & PA. The fault system has produced minor earthquakes & slight tremors, & despite its inactivity, has the potential to produce a major earthquake.Currently, there is a seismograph located in the John Crowley Nature Center & Astronomical Observatory at Garret Mt.July 1, 2010, article in "Passaic Valley Today" newspaper.

I took some photos at the Barnyard Restaurant, Totowa, when Angella came up from Florida for her Mountainside nurses' 50th reunion -- I plan to finish up that roll of film when Dot Fontana comes out from California this month and we take her to lunch at Lorenzo's, W.P., on July 16th -- however, our home scanner is not yet hooked up to our computer at home (& I still have to get that home computer online; meanwhile I'm using the L.F. library computers) so guess I should have my photos put on a CD by CVS -- thanks for the suggestion, Lina -- however I don't know if I can download my photos at the L.F. library onto the class website).

Sorry, I am having a problem getting them downloaded from camera. My computer crashed in the fall and I can't find my CD to put the program for the camera back on. Been working since April and this should be my last week. May take it to Walgreen's and get a CD made to down load from. Sorry it has been so long. There were several others taking pictures that night also and they can feel free to add their pictures if they like.Angie, are there any pictures from when you were in NJ?Any further word about the mni reunion that was being talked about?

6/24/10 Herald News:"Canada quake shakes N.J.""Ripple evacuates a few local buildings"A magnitude-5.0 earthquake centered near the Quebec-Ontario border in Canada shook buildings in Hackensack, Englewood, and W.P. on Wed., prompting authorities to briefly evacuate the Bergen Co. adm. bldg.A medical & office bldg. at 1130 McBride Ave. in W.P. was evacuated after police received a call around 1:50 p.m. reporting that the bldg. was shaking, said W.P. Mayor Pat Lepore. Lepore said the bldg. would be inspected by a structural engineer & the borough's code enforcement office before employees & patients would be allowed to return.Lepore said it was not clear how badly the bldg. shook, only that "it shook enough that it got everyone's attention."The midday earthquake, which occurred at 1:41 p.m., lasted approx. 20 seconds, and was felt in Canada & across a wide swath of the northeastern & midwestern U.S., including N.Y., PA, N.H., VT, W.V., Ohio, Mich., and Indiana.

P.S.: 1130 McBride Avenue, W.P., is located where the Peckman River goes under McBride Ave., W.P. (next to Kearfott's parking lot).

from 6/22/10 Herald News:"New ZIP Code Bid Gets Zapped""Borough will go on sharing with L.F."W.P. -- The U.S. Postal Service has endied W.P.'s request for its own ZIP code.The Postal Service cited a number of reasons, such as a nearly flat projected growth rate over the next decade, a $23,000 price tag with few gains in efficiency or service, and an absence of complaints with the current ZIP code; and keeping 07424 is most practical because:* W.P.'s recent name change has already given the town a unique identity.* W.P. is expected to grow negligibly (0.71%) over the next 10 years.* No additional p.o.'s are planned in W.P.* Although there are similar sounding streets in W.P. & L.F., there are no duplicate addresses that could affect service.W.P. officials can appeal the decision, and W.P. is looking at its options.A retired postal worker, Don Bender, indicated "There's no way it would cost $23,000 for a zip code change. We have no identity without our own zip code."

Sorry . A few weeks late . Just noticed the entry. My condolances to Barbara Hebert Mulrooney on the recent loss of her husband. Barbara and I both lived on Paterson avenue and went all through the Little Falls school system together . Good memories . Some people you never forget .

Marion Douma StartThursday, June 17, 2010

6/17/10 HERALD NEWS:"TOWNSHIP REQUESTS $3.6m IN FLOOD AID" The L.F. Township Council unanimously agreed to borrow $3.6 million to pay the cost of elevating 26 houses that are in the flood area. Towship officials expect the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse 90% of the $3.6 million as part of its Severe Repetitive Loss Program, which pays for flood mitigation projects on homes that flood repeatedly. Homeowners benefiting from the elevation project would be expected to reimburse the town the remaining 10% according to the ordinance.To be eligible, a homeowner must have flood insurance, have filed four claims in the last 10 years of at least $5,000, or have filed two claims totaling at least 50% of their property's value. The properties also must pass a cost/benefit analysis. Before the vote Monday night at the Township mtg., Dennis G. Lindsay, the township engineer, said that L.F. must pay for the project up front before FEMA provides any reimbursement.Linday said more township homeowners could be included in the voluntary project. But those who don't participate could see their flood insurance costs go up.L.F. has flooded three times since 2005; the most recent flood was in March and cost the town $288,000."FEMA WILL PAY 75% OF TOTOWA'S FLOOD COSTS"Totowa Bourough is set to be reimbursed for 75% of the approx. $125,00 in costs it incurred during the March floods.FEMA agreed to pay the borough back 3/4 of its flood costs, which paid for employee overtime, equipment purchases, and rentals in connection with the floods. The borough will pay the remaining 25%.Allen DelVecchio, borough emergency director, said the borough expects to rea check within the next two months.

from 6/4/10 HERALD NEWS:"New Principal for High School"PVHS Bd. of Ed. hired the school's former school resource officer as its new principal. Ray Rotella, who served as PV's school resource officer from 2002 to 2006 will start his new position as PV principal on Aug. 1."Just being familiar with the community & knowing the people there, I'm very excited about it," Rotella said Thursday. He has been asst. principal at West Essex Regional High School since 2007. The PV Bd. of Ed. unanimously approved the new hire following an executive session at its 5/25/10 mtg. Rotella's annual pay will be $125,000. PV Bd. member, Carlo Spinella said Rotella's interview with the bd. "just blew us away." PV School Supt. Viktor Joganow said out of about 20 applicants, Rotella's leadership skills & confidence set him aprart. Rotella will replace principal John Wallace, who announced earlier this year that he would retire this fall after more than 40 years at PV. Rotella's & Wallace's time in the district will overlap, allowing the pair time to make the transition, Joganow said.Rotella was a police officer with the L.F. Police Dept. for 15 years. He attained the rank of sergeant before retiring.As a school resource officere at PV, Rotella was the township dept.'s police presence at the school, counseling & advising students, teaching drug & alcohol prevention & criminal justice, & running driver ed. classes. Rotella said he holds two master's degrees -- one in ed. from Seton Hall Univ., the other in adm. science from Fairleigh Dickinson Univ.He declined to discuss specific ideas he has for the district, saying he wanted to first assess its situation.

PASSAIC VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL'S BUDGET SLASHED BY $80kPVHS Bd. of Ed agreed to make further uts on the failed proposed school budget of $21.6 million.Included in the cuts was: Driver Ed -- thanks to Schumacher Chevrolet donating the Driver Ed Cars, students will be able to sign up for Driver Ed in the fall; however, the students or their parents will have to cover the cost of the instruction, gas, etc., etc.!

Just spent most of this morning typing in my ideas re: 2012 55th reunion -- and NOTHING WAS ENTERED (maybe that's why there are NO ENTRIES) -- anyway, I have no more time to try again -- maybe it would be best to just add suggestions here --

Angella: where are you staying next week???I have a tennis lunch to attend next week as well as a baby shower to go to the end of next week, but perhaps a get-together could be set up -- anyone have suggestions???????this Thurs.,Fri.,&Sat. PVHS is presenting "THE PRODUCERS in the Schneider Auditorium -- I'm planning to attend Fri. night's 7:30 pm performance as I have a concert to attend this Saturday -- if anyone can also get to Friday's performance, maybe we could talk about (during intermission?) getting together with Angella after she arrives May 18???????????Also, it's not too soon to start deciding when/where to celebrate our 55th! I'll put a couple suggestions in the "message board" section, and let's hear from others as well -- thanks.

Today's papers show the obit. of JOSEPH E. MULROONY, late husband of BARBARA HEBERT MULROONY:MULROONY, JOSEPH E., 74, of W.P. died Tues., May 4. Born in Paterson, NJ, Mr. Mulroony resided in West Paterson for his entire life as a third generation resident. He retired from the Boro of W.P. Rd. Dept. Previously he was employed with PSE&G Co. Mr. Mulroony was a member of the W.P. Fire Dept. & a veteran of the US Navy serving from 1955-57.Survivors include: his wife, the former Barbara Hebert and four daughters and three sons. Funeral Services will be 9:15 a.m. Fri. from Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, L.F., & 10:15 a.m. at St. Bonaventure RC Church. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Visitation on Thurs. from 2--9 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to either: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 (note on donation: Directed to CCSVI Study Only) -- or: Autism Speaks, 5455 Wiltshire Blvd., Suite 250, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (www.autismspeaks.com).Visit www.bizub.com for driving directions/online condolences.

I'll be up in NJ on May 18 -25. Attending luncheon for Mountainside Hospital grads. Hope to see some of my 1960 classmates. I'd love to see some PV "57 grads too. Forgot to mention Nina Luckenbach and I really enjoy shopping while the guys golf. My lovely mother is 93 years old today.

Just wanted to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY EARTH DAY on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day! --Also, try to watch "The Challenge" on tv this weekend (in our area, it's on channel 12) -- PVHS is in the finals against Torah Academy (a high school from Bergen County).

4/20/10 P.V.H.S. ELECTION RESULTS:Voters elected a newcomer & 2 incumbents to represent L.F. & W.P. but rejected a $20.2 million tax levy that would have lowered school taxes for W.P. residents.Residents rejected the budget (2,037 against passage and 1,910 for), & elected Anthony Sgobba, Laura VanWinkle & John Evans to the regional high school board that serves Totowa, L.F., & W.P.Sgobba, 46, works in sales for his family's cemetery memorial business and is a L.F. school board member. He received 667 votes.W.P. incumbents VanWinkle & Evans turned back newcomer Sandra Reda for 2 three-year seats on the board representing the borough.VanWinkle, 62, retired after a career as a talent representative, received 707 votes, Evans, 49, director of sales for Jura-Capresso, garnered 620 votes. Reda received 570 votes.Board President Carlo Spinella was reelected to a 3-year seat representing Totowa. He received 903 votes.

Talked to Ethel Douma's daughter, Karen, and learned Ethel recently vacationed in Ireland, with her friend Ellie (who was on the 2007 Mexico cruise with us) -- luckily Ethel & Ellie flew back home the day before the Icelandic volcano blew; otherwise, they'd just be getting home this week!

Lastly, I'm invited this Saturday, 4/24/10 to the 90th birthday party of MARY RIKER, who taught her entire career in Totowa Memorial School.......... so, all you guys/gals from Totowa, if you have any birthday congratulations messages or memories for Mrs. Mary Riker (she's now a L.F. resident & attends the L.F. UMChurch), send them on & I'll deliver them to Mary this Saturday at her party at the church -- at 'club' this past Monday night, the following asked me to include their names on my card to Mary Riker: Sandy DiLoreto, Dot Dubicki, Dottie Machuszek, and even Carol Brown (visiting from PA in order to attend a funeral) came to our 4/18/10 'club' meeting -- guess I also have to sign Ruth Wells' name to the card as she'll not be returning to PA from her wintering in AZ for a few weeks!

from Herald News 4/8/10:"Borough welcomes 7 signs of change -- Berkeley College paying to erect them"Woodland Park -- Berkeley College officials presented a ceremonial check for $18,758 to the borough to pay for new "Woodland Park" signs around town.Teri Duda, v.p. of external affairs for Berkeley College, this week said the seven signs will be erected on streets leading into town, including a large sign at the Rt. 46 off-ramp at Rifle Camp Road. The signs read: "Welcome to Woodland Park, Established in 1914, Home of Berkeley College."Woodland Park changed its name from West Paterson in 2009 after a referendum. A challenge to get the name changed back to West Paterson failed last November. Duda explained that borough officials wanted the words "Established in 1914" on the signs although the borough's new moniker is little more than a year old. She said the borough was established in 1914, regardless of name."We wanted to donate the signs as a gesture of goodwill," Duda said. "And it helps to get our name out. It's a win-win situation." One of Berkeley's four campuses in NJ is in the borough. Mayor Pat Lepore thanked Berkeley for the donation. "Berkeley College has always been a great partner with the borough and has helped us in many ways," he said.

A better win-win for W.P. taxpayers would be putting the money toward reducing taxes! -- and all the other costs of name-change that are now being paid by W.P.!

Since the library is closed tomorrow (Good Friday), Saturday, and Easter Sunday, I want to wish everybody HAPPY EASTER / PASSOVER -- looks like L.F. & surrounding will be okay with this round of flooding -- here's today's (3/31/10) local news coverage:"WATER STILL RISING, BUT FLOOD THREAT LESSENS" -- "MARCH GOES OUT LIKE A FISH" --Rivers swollen by three days of heavy rain are expected to rise into Thursday (4/1/10) & cause moderate flooding, but nothing close to the deluge of two weeks ago, forecasters say.The Passaic River at L.F. was expected crest at 8.7 feet sometime on thursday, more than a foot above flood stage, the National Weather Service said. The weather service had originally predicted that the river would rise as high as 11.5 feet, but the storm dumped less rain than had been feared."The rain did not progress as far west as originally expected," said Patrick Maloit, a meterologist with the National Weather Service. "Fortunately for the good people of notheast NJ, they got a bit of a break, & I'm sure they're happy about it. There is still a flood threat, but it will not be as bad as originally feared."Still, rising floodwaters led to many roads being shut on Tuesday, and will likely mean more closures today. And officials were ready to evacuate residents & open shelters in Wayne, Lincoln Park, L.F., & pompton Lakes should that become necessary. Among the major arteries closed because of flooding Tuesday were Rt. 20 southbound in Paterson, Riverview Dr. in totowa, Presidential Blv. in Paterson, and the Arch St. bridge in Paterson.Governor Christie, appearing at Montclair High School on Tues. said NJ had to put the same level of commitment into dealing with flooding in the Passaic River Basin as it has in the Green Brook flood control project in Middlesex Co. "This has been an incredible ten weeks. Two blizzards, two nor'easters, and now we're having our second flood in a couple of weeks here," Chrisitie said. "I'm concerned in particular about what's happening in the Passaic River area. Those are going to be huge problems."An estimated 3200 homes were either heavily damaged or destroyed in the flood two weeks ago, according to the Red Cross. Passaic County suffered an estimated $9 million in damage."The state stands ready to do what we need to do," Christie said. "We now need to bring the same measure of focus & commitment on the federal & state level to deal with the Passaic River issue as well as in those communities like Wayne, Pompton Lakes, & Woodland Park, & others who have been devastated a number of times. If we need to declare another state of emergency, we certainly have the executive order in the computer."

Today's (3/26/10) local papers included this interesting article on L.F.:"CHANGING LANDSCAPE -- Floods, not growing charm, getting spotlight in L.F."L.F. was ground zero for the Flood of 2010. It got its 15 minutes of fame -- just as it has during past devastating floods -- under the media's klieg lights.But while its low-lying portions remain at risk from the recurring flooding of the Pecman & Passaic rivers, the tiny township west of Paterson has morphed into a municipality with upscale restaurants & bars, a state university, & a mostly middle- to upper-middle-class population.Indeed residents say that the once rural hamlet with pockets of industry is more than a town infamous for flooding, more than the down-on-its-luck place that people around the nation -- & even in other countries -- saw & heard about last week."Friends call me from other states & asked me if my house was flooded," said Steve Baskinger, who grew up in the Singac section which was flooded, but now lives in the Great Notch part of town, which was not flooded. "People think all of L.F. was underwater."L.F. was once a working-class town known primarily for the factories that dotted it, as well as for the Morris Canal, a 19th century man-made waterway where goods were ferried between the Delaware & Hudson rivers.And so while a great part of L.F. still retains its longtime down-home feel, it is now a place where suschi & sashimi are as commonplace as pizzas and hoagies.The canal was drained in 1924 & is now a park behind Main St.Baskinger, a long-time resident, calls the new younger condo denizens 'the transients." "They're not buying homes here; they're not staying here; they're here for a few years," he said. While Baskinger represents one lomd pf typical L.F. resident -- the one who grows up in town & relishes its traditional, working-class roots -- he also represents the othern, newer kind.He grew up in Singac, where his father, a retired plumber, still lives. But after leaving L.F. & spending sometime overseas, he came back & now lives in Great Notch, a section of the town with larger, more expensive homes.On Main St., Baskinger opened a martini bar with white leather furniture, chrome fixtures & mood lighting. "There was no real lounge in this area," Baskinger said. "After this opened, other lounges opened; other people got the same idea. But Baskinger is thinking of dispensing with the glitz, & getting back to the basics, which he feels is wht L.F. really is at its heart. "The people from the town don't really come to my martini bar," he said. "I want it to be a place where they'll come to have a beer or sandwich with their friends, where they can watch sports games on TV."Compared with higher-priced Montclair, L.F. has lower taxes & more affordable housing, said Ray Damiano, co-owner of Prudential Damiano in L.F. But they stay because the town's array of housing stock -- from homes selling for less than $150,000 to homes that sold for more than $1 million, said Damiano.While lifetime & newer residents express fondness for the town, they also express frustration over the flooding, which they feel does not need to be so devestating. Passaic Co. Freeholder James Gallagher said the widespread media coverage of the flood may spur action -- by having a great amount of media attention, it may cause a change in how we manage the floodwaters in the area.To be sure, some in the flooded area feel ambivalent about staying in their homes. But residents of different areas of the town say they take pride in L.F.

Much thanks for the " Get Well " card . Bells Palsy is not serious. But, the paralysis recovery is slow. Sad to hear Francis Harmonoski died . She lived on the next street over from us in LF . We all ran around the neighborhood together as kids . My father and uncles were good friends with her whole family . Her grandparents came from Poland . I remember eating Polish food in the house. And , the Green Chief at the Girls Show. I am choking up typing this with the fond memories . RIP Francis

3/23/10 local newspapers:"New deluge has region bracing for more floods; residents 'frustrated,' 'rattled"Residents & officials still reeling from the floods triggered by this month's nor'easter were bracing for the deluge that began Monday & is expected to end today.The National Weather Service said flooding was possible for Bergen & Passaic counties beginning Monday into today. A slow-moving storm traveling eastward is expected to drop up to two inches of rain, enough to cause the Passaic River to rise from about 6.2 feet Mon. to 8.4 feet on early Thursday morning, 3/25. Flood stage for the river is 7 feet. Municipal officials in the Passaic Valley region were preparing for the rising water levels, even though last week's widespread,damaging floods are not anticipated again this week.In Totowa: Riverview Drive reopened Monday, and Totowa's flood equipment were online & ready to go in case it floods again.In L.F.: all flooded streets were reopened over the weekend, & the Fire Dept. finished cleaning out flooded basements. The emergency mgmt. director said although the town is in the midst of cleaning up from last week's flood, they're ready if there's another one.In W.P.:Local officials were monitoring the Passaic & didn't anticipate major flooding, but factors such as the ground's heavy saturation & full local reservoirs could change that.

General recap on the 2010 flood in 3/19/10 local newspapers:As floodwater on waterlogges streets began to recede Thurs., officials in Passaic Co. towns & shell-shocked residents started assessing damage & began the cleanup.Many roads reopened & bus service resumed. Schools re-opened in L.F., W.P., and Totowa, but they remain closed in Paterson.L.F. mun. flood pumps were to be turned on at 8 p.m. on Thurs. to divert standing water into the Passaic River, but vehicles won't be allowed back onto the streets until 3 p.m. tomorrow, Sat. PSE&G officials said the storm was the worst in the utility's history and that 3,300 customers who remained without power statewide today represented a tiny fraction of the nearly half-a-million customers whose service was interrupted starting last Sat.The storm was blamed for three deaths -- two men who were killed by a falling tree in Teaneck on March 13, & an elderly woman who was found unconscious in her East Rutherford (she dies Mon. at Hackensack Univ. Med. Ctr.Paterson schools are expect to re-open 3/22. The flood affected about 2,800 households in Paterson with 800 people being evacuated. About 280 residents sought temporary shelter at Passaic County Communiity College, downstown Paterson.Willowbrook mall re-opened yesterday, Thurs.; and bus service to the mall also was restored. Wayne township's lowest-lying neighborhoods, including Hoffman Grove & Hobson Ave. area, are still inundated with water.

Update on the 2010 flood, L.F.:Township officials hope to get all flooded residents into their homes by Sat. Once the water recedes, the township will also place Dumpsters on the streets so residents can get rid of what's unsalvageable. On Thurs., the Red Cross delivered six pallets of cleaning kits for residents at the police station.Most streets in the Singac section remained closed Thurs., and police monitored who was entering & exiting the flood zone to guard against possible looting. Checkpoints will be set up to allow only residents & guests in & out of the streets during cleanup. Scavenging through discarded items (which was rife during the 2007 flooding) will be prohibited. Montclair Univ. officers were sent to help patrol the flood zone.Contractors walked the township's streets on Thurs., touting their services to flooded residents.

Update on the 2010 flood, Totowa:Officials in Totowa said a preliminary damage assessment revealed the borough suffered $1.6 million to $2 million in losses & damages to the more than 800 residential, commercial, & industrial structures in town. For example, the new Sonic restaurant on Route 46 (closed since Saturday) sustained between $50,000 & $100,000 in damage alone, in part because when the power went out, it lost all its food.Between 200 &^ 225 homes had been affected by the flood. Power was restored Thursday to about 25 homes in the Lincoln Ave. area that had been without electricity since Saturday. Totowa schools were closed for one day this week, on Tuesday, when the Passaic River crested.All streets had been reopened to traffic except Riverview Dr., still partially flooded by the adjacent Passaic River. The Hillery St. Bridge was closed to discourage motorists from driving on McBride Ave. to W.P., which remains closed.

Update on the 2010 flood, W.P.:Schools reopened Thursday for the first time this week, but students had to be bused from the OEM Command Center at the Mun. Bldg. to avoid the borough's main thoroughfare, McBride Ave. (flooded over in a couple places by the Passaic River). Supt. of Public Works George Galbraith asked residents to leave all storm-related debris curbside so it can be picked up.Borough firefighters spent Thursday pumping river water from residents' basements.

TO: Joe Walker (or anyone who has his current address) -- sent "get well" card on 3/4/10 to Joe at address listed in Aug. 2009 reunion printout (Elkhunter Trail, San Antonio) -- it was returned 3/13/10 by p.o. indicating that address was "vacant."I'd also asked Joe in the card for an email address, as it's so much easier clicking on "classmates" section of this website and sending notes by email to anyone who lists an email address.Make sure you all keep Lina/John/Sandy advised of any changes (snailmail address, email address, etc.) --many thanks.

So glad to hear Angella and Tom are doing great!Here are a couple of PVHS-related obit's from last week:March 4, 2010 -- MAXWELL, FRANCES ANN (nee HERMANOSKI), passed away March 3, 2010, at Kindred Hospital of NJ in Dover. She was 72. Frances was born in Paterson & grew up in L.F. She lived in W.P. before moving to Parsippany 45 years ago. In 1955, she graduated PVHS and was the GREEN CHIEF. Frances was predeceased by her beloved husband, Wm. H. who passed away on June 14, 2009. Four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren survive. Visit www.partroyfuneralhome.comP.S. She must be celebrating in heaven over the GREENS Girls Show victory @ PV on Feb. 27!March 6, 2010 -- KUZIORA, EMILY E., 90, of Beaver Dam, WI, died March 4, 2010. The former Emily Estell Gusciora was born on May 17, 1919 in Clifton, NJ. On Jan. 26, 1946, she was united in marriage with CHESTER T. KUZIORA. She was a teacher at Pequannock Valley School for 20 years, retiring in 1988. Three children, three grandchildren, and a sister survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four sisters. The family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association. View www.MurrayFH.com or www.ToaleBrothers.com

Hi all. Have Bells Palsy . Left side of my face is paralyzed. Could take over a year to be back to normal . They thought I had a stroke. But, no. Doc says nothing they can do . No meds can help. Some pain. Just tough it out he says . Look wierd. Joe Walker

Twelve classmates and nine spouses attended our get together last night and no one was at a lose for words. It was good to see both Angella Trevisant Olivito and Tom Fenwick there and both were looking good. Angella is now able to walk some without any assistance. Tom continues to have good reports on lung and kidneys. Keep up the good work guys! Classmates attending were: Tom Tullo, Tom Fenwick, Angella, Skip Pasquariello,Marion Rich Boonen,Warren Visbeck, AJ Wedlake Loewrigkeit,Glenn Daniels, John Ciccone, Bob Luckenbach, Harry Banks and myself. We had 4 hrs of good food and fond memories. As well as new memories being created. There will be pictures under the get together album in the next day or so.

Many thanks yo Lina for the 2/18 update. Glad to hearshe is out of the woods and others progressing. Patty and I did our Florida visit in January, so we won't be seeing you this week. Best wishes to all those who make it. Maybe next year!

Some of the FL folks are having a get together on 2/24 just north of Tampa. At present, we have 10 classmates attending. If you know anyone who is vacationing in FL at this time, kindly let them know or let me know and I will try and get in touch.

I am sorry I am so late getting this on here, but Ann Marie Pagnillo Perricelli passed away on 1/3.

Also, I am going to try and set up a page for "hometown news". Not sure at this time how it will work, but would like to try and make it so that anyone could enter things. So keep an eye out for this in the near future.

Tom Fenwick is dong well and is vacationing here in FL at present. After 6 months, I have finally been totally released by the drs. and am back to normal. Angella Trevisano continues with her rehab after her surgery last summer. Frank Campiglia is having ongoing kidney problems. Don't have any recent updates on Donna Stokes DeGrechie or MaryAnn Kusha Burden. Let's keep all of these folks in our prayers.Stay well, stay safe and stay warm.

Dorothy Fontana's holiday 2009 letter (she apologized for being late in sending greetings):
"[her husband] Dennis spent a month at the beginning of 2009 in Vancouver doing visual effects with his brother Robert on a Joe Dante movie, THE HOLE. This is a 3-D kids' horror/adventure due to be released in March, 2010. The two current films Dennis & Robert are working on are small projects, but one has required Robert to go to Japan twice last fall, with one more trip scheduled for spring, 2010.
I [D.C. Fontana] began work on the script for an interactive medical education game designed to be used in medical schools to train young doctors how to communicate with their patients. (All the nurses I know said this is a great idea!) So that's my major project for 2010.
In August we went to NJ to visit my relatives and attend my 52nd year PVHS class reunion. This was a great idea as the official 50th reunion in 2007 was a Caribbean cruise, which we couldn't attend. Last year's class reunion included an outdoor picnic/barbeque on Sat. and a lovely buffet dinner at a restaurant on Sun. evening. We were able to visit family & friends around Totowa, and we also went across the state to Belvidere for several days to visit my cousins there. Since no trip is ever long enough, we've vowed to go back to NJ more often, and we're now planning for 2010.
My year (2009) at the American Film Institute was terrific, and my students continue to make me feel the next generation of entertainment will be in good hands. The last good news is that Dennis has completed his fourth year in remission from the lymphoma, and his cardiologist says he is in very good health.
So, we've closed out the decade, which has had its scares, sadness, and joys, and look forward to the new decade. Remember, everyone: live long and prosper!
D.C. Fontana/ms

The L.F. library has just completed two DVDs holding a searchable copy of all of the Valley Greens from 1941--2009 (my '57 yearbook was just returned to me today, which helped make the completion of this project possible). The L.F. library indicates "currently the DVDs are available to the public only at the library, but we hope to soon load them onto our web page so that they can be viewed from any computer with Internet access." The library's stationery indicates their website is www.palsplus.org/lfpl.
While I'm on this "blog" page, I also wanted to let everyone know about the tv quizz show, 'The Challenge.' PVHS recently entered that tournament, and the segment (Nov. 18) will be aired on MSG Varsity on January 14 and on Cablevision's News 12 on January 16, 6:30 p.m., and on January 17, 6:30 p.m., in case you can tune into either of those channels where you live. PVHS will go onto the next round in March! The PV students pictured in the article are: Glenn Fellman, Alberto Batarseh, Stefanie Molin, and Nick Fontanella. Congrat's to all!

I wish for everyone a happy, healthy and safe 2010. I learned this year to live one day at a time as we never know what tomorrow will bring. Today is called the present because it is God's gift to us. I cherish and am thankful for every day and delighted to be here to celebrate this holiday season.
I have finally been given a clean bill of health this past week after 6 months. I will continue to keep our classmates who still have ongoing health problems in my thoughts and prayers.
Had a message from Lynda Fenwick that Tom has had good reports on his last visit and things are looking good for him. Keep it up Tom.

May try to have a Florida get together in Feb. So if you know anyone going to be in Fl this winter at any time, let me or Bob Luckenbach know and we may try to do something at that time.

I had my computer crash this fall before I was able to get all the pictures on the site that I had received from the reunion and I lost quite a few. Will try to remember what I lost but if you sent me pictures and you don't see them on the site would you resend them to me please?

Our 55th reunion will be here before we know it, so forward any ideas you have to Piccolo or myself or put them on the message board where there is a place for ideas.

We've lost another wonderful PVHS faculty member (Bergen Record, 11/18/09):
GRISWOLD, HARRIET (nee SHAW), 96. Born April 18, 1913, in Bement, Illinois, passed away at her home in W.P., NJ, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.
Harriet graduated from IL Normal College (now IL State Univ.) in 1935 & earned a Masters in Ed. from Columbia Teachers College, NY. She taught Business in the Point Pleasant NJ School District from 1936 until she joined the faculty of the newly opened PVHS, L.F., NJ, in 1940. She taught at PV until her retirement in 1972. Harriet met her future husband, Elmer B. Griswold at PV where he also was a teacher, coach, & Director of Athletics. They were married in 1946 following Elmer's return from service as a Lieutenant in WWII. In their retirement, they enjoyed time with friends, travel & ballroom dancing. They had been married for 52 years when Elmer passed away May 24, 1998.
She is also predeceased by a brother, Homer Shaw. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Griswold & her partner, Ginny D'Antonio of Yonkers, NY. Funeral Arrangements are by Bizub-Parker Funeral Home, 47 Main St., L.F., N J. Private cremation. No Viewing Hours. Harriet will be laid to rest with her husband, Elmer, at Laurel Gove Cemetery, Totowa, NJ. There will be a Memorial Gathering Fri., Nov. 20 from 5--8 pm; Sat., Nov. 21, from 3--8 pm; and Sun., Nov. 22, from 2--6 pm. Please call the funeral home for location of Mem. Gathering. In lieu of flowers, mem. contributions to the Elmer B. Griswold Scholarship Fund, PVHS, 100 E. Main St., L.F., NJ 07424-5628, would be appreciated. Visit (www.bizub.com) for online condolences.

Here's an editorial written Nov. 7 and published today, 11/10, in the "Bergen Record" newspaper, entitled "Paying price for our civic vanities:" "Regarding "What's in town's name change? The Cost" of Nov. 6: If officials in Woodland Park Borough Hall just now are 'beginning to assess the costs of the formal name change that was authorized in a referendum a year ago' is not an exaggeration, it will go a long way toward explaining why we in NJ are suffering the highest property taxes in the nation. What responsible person or governing body will start assessing costs after the decision is made? Only someone who does not have to budget expenses (or is spending someone else's money) will buy an item (or authorize expense) without looking at the price tag. I also don't remember hearing any of Woodland Park (nee West Paterson) residents asking this question before the referendum, so maybe we do deserve the govt. we have -- and pay a price for it."
by Alexandre Preshansky of
Emerson, NJ
(my sentiments, too; seems those outside our town are thinking we here in W.P. are rather foolish, and I tend to agree with them -- Mar)

Over 4000 people voted yesterday, and the town name of "West Paterson" lost by 30 votes again this year (they've already counted absentee ballots, but it will take a few days to count provisional ballots) -- but I think we're not going to win keeping the town name of West Paterson -- I'll never write Woodland Park, however; from now on, I'm living in "W.P.." NJ!

OBIT. in 10/31/09 HERALD NEWS:DUFFY, LORRAINE ILARIA -- passed away on Friday, October 30, at her home in Toano. She was born in Cedar Grove, NJ, on December 18, 1929. She spent most of her life living in Little Falls, NJ, where she taught at Passaic Valley High School for twenty-five years. She retired in 1976. Lorraine and her husband have resided in Virginia since 1993, and in Toano since 2003. Lorraine particularly enjoyed gardening.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years. Donald Duffy, and her aunt, Helen Calandara of Little Falls, NJ.
Services are private. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg.

and today's article in the Herald News: "Final Push in name fight; again, both sides expect close vote" --
Woodland Park -- The Fire Dept.'s refusal to take the "West Paterson" out of its name has been costly.
"People were telling us that we weren't part of the town & they wouldn't donate to the Fire Dept.," said Chief Paul Salomone, because the dept. refused to adopt the borough's official name: Woodland Park.
Advocates for keeping the status quo, & those lobbying to change it back, are gearing up for a final push as Tuesday's name-change referendum approaches. On Jan. 1, the borough's name -- after three unsuccessful attempts since 1989 to change it -- was formally changed to Woodland Park after voters approved it in Nov. by a 25-vote margin, 2136 to 2111.
Each side expects another close battle on Tuesday. If voters approve switching to West Paterson, it will be the first time in NJ history that a town changed its name & then changed it back.
Salomone, the fire chief, personally donated more than $600 to the effort to restore the borough's name to West Paterson, according to a finance report filed with the state. He told people gathered at the American Legion hall Tuesday night for a "Save West Paterson Committee" meeting that as a volunteer civic organization, the dept. is entitled to state its opinion on the name change.
In fact, the voluntee dept. has hung yellow banners outside firehouses that boldly advocated changing the borough's name back to West Paterson.
Save West Paterson & the Committee to Keep Woodland Park each have taken out fulll-page ads in the local newspaper & mailed campaign literature to borough households, and have written impassioned letters to the editor. Save West Paterson has purchased & distributed hundreds of pro-name change lawn signs.
On Tuesday, Keep Woodland Park mailed postcards to borough households, saying the new name brings the borough a new identity & opportunities for economic growth, committee president Judy Karp said. Volunteers for the committee this weekend will hand out fliers to residents, encouraging them to keep the borough's new name. ...
I just wish that there wasn't the anger," she said. "We're all residents of Woodland Park. We're all neighbors. We can disagree."

current (this week's) local newspaper articles on the name change:
editorial (Herald News): "Woodland Park vs. West Paterson" Since last Nov., residents of Woodland Park (formerly known as West Paterson) have quarreled about their identity. In the 2008 general election, voters narrowly passed a referendum to change the borough name to Woodland Park. Now many would like to see it changed back.
In the months since last year's vote, the borough has been the subject of jokes on late-night TV and turmoil at home. There has been confusion among businesses and even in regard to borough services on whether to keep the old name of West Paterson, or press ahead with the new name of Woodland Park.
It is time to end the joking & the confusion. It is time to decide the issue once & for all. This year's ballot question is: "Shall the name of the Borough of Woodland Park be changed to the Borough of West Paterson?"
We say yes, it should be. This page has been consistent in its opinion that there was nev er a pressing need to change the name in the first place.
"West Paterson" served the borough well for nearly 100 years. Those who wanted change said a more bucolic-sounding name such as Woodland Park would improve property values. Others argued it would be a way to break free, at least superficially, from any association with neighboring Paterson & its myriad urban problems.
As ridiculous as that notion is, we would urge borough residents this time to go to the polls, vote their conscience & accept the result -- whatever that might be. It's time to reach consensus on a name, and to stick to it.
We prefer the name West Paterson. We can live with Woodland Park.

On election day, Nov. 3, W.P. will once again be voting on the town name -- this year the vote is whether to keep "Woodland Park" or go back to "West Paterson." The "Committee to Keep Woodland Park" has been sending mailings and put up their own webpage: www.woodlandparknj.org (you have to remember to type "NJ" after WP; as without the "NJ" you'll get to "Woodland Park, CO" (John Zarpaylic's town) -- and I guess changing to/keeping "Woodland Park" NJ makes a lot of sense; however, I will once again vote for "West Paterson" -- I hope whatever the outcome of this year's election, they'll stop running these "name change" referendums. When you access the town's webpage (www.westpaterson.com), up pops "Borough of Woodland Park!" -- really stupid -- plus the boro fire dept. insists they will never be anything but the "West Paterson Fire Dept." --
I'll keep you posted on the election outcome next month.

I have started a new category on the message board called "Thoughts for reunion in 2012". It is never to soon to start thinking about it. When during the year? What format--same as this last one or suggestions for change? Where--same place or other suggestions? Any thoughts for additions or subtractions?

I just dropped off the 1957 PV yearbook at the Little Falls library -- thanks to the response of people like Bob Dransfield and Rose Ziskin, THE ONLY PVHS YEARBOOKS the library still needs are: 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1994 --
thanks for passing the missing years on to anyone who can come up with those yearbooks!

"The Little Falls Public Library is having its collection of Passaic Valley High School's yearbooks,"The Valley Green," scanned to digital images and stored on DVDs. These DVDs will be searchable by keyword & available to the public at the L.F. library. Currently the library has yearbooks from 1941 through 2008, but the collection is incomplete with several volumes missing and others vandalized. The library would like to borrow copies of the missing or damaged volumes to make their digitized collection as complete as possible. Books will be handled gently during the scanning process, and returned to their owners intact.

Anyone willing to loan the library their copy of any of these yearbooks should call the library at

973-256-2784."

I'll offer the library our '57 yearbook -- if you can spread the word regarding this project (& the missing years) to friends, siblings, & other relatives, it should help the library with this DVD P.V.H.S. yearbook project. Thanks!

Happy to hear the reunion was so wonderful. Sorry, I was not able to be there to see you all. I will always treasure the four wonderful years we had together. Our class of "57 was the BEST.
So glad I was able to see so many of you on our FL.cruise reunion.
I'm fighting hard to recover. May be able to walk again in 3 to 6 months. I hope it is 3 with lots of PT.
Love to all of you and thanks for all the cards.
Angella

My congratulations to John Piccolo and his wife Helen on doing such a great job in putting this reunion together in such a short time. Next reunion we will try to have a longer lead time than this one and maybe we will be able to get more folks out.

I can't tell you how surprised and excited I was to receive the call from the picnic. It was wonderful to talk to so many folks. Thank you John for doing that.

Another thank you goes to John Zarpaylic for the card that so many of the folks at the reunion signed. I received it today and was thrilled to read all the comments.

Marion Douma Start mentioned in an e-mail to me that she put the wrong year in her note that she wrote for Rosie Pomponio Harkness. She did not mean to age us 5 years and realizes this was our 52nd reunion and not 57th. Please forgive her advancing our age.

I am almost back to normal now, but let's continue to keep Angie Trevisano Olivito and MaryAnn Kusha Burden in our prayers as they continue to battle their health problems.

Three cheers to John and his wife, Helen, for doing a great job on our 57th reunion. The picnic was relaxing and fun. The memento gifts were such a treat! I enjoyed gathering with my classmates after so many years. This was my fourth reunion, and it was one of the very best! Hopefully we can do another reunion soon.
Rosie (Pomponio) -- no computer
(dictated to Marion Start)

Felix 'John' PiccoloWednesday, August 12, 2009

I want to thank all of you who attended the 2009 reunion. It was extremely gratifiying to get such a turnout on such short notice. If it weren't for the work of classmates like Sandy DiLoreto, Lina Dutches, Doug Herman, Bob & Nina Luckenbach, who maintained contact lists and hunted down the missing for past reunions, this project would have been much harder. Your compliments to Helen & I are greatly appreciated and we must tell you again that we really enjoyed doing this. Now that it's over, I can get back to my 'Honey Do' list!!
God bless all of you and stay well for the next one. I've learned from this one and have ideas to make the next one even better, God willing.

Helle and I thoroughly enjoyed the reunion picnic, and were very sorry we could not attend the dinner on Sunday. It was just great to meet so many we had not seen in 50 years. Special thanks goes to John Piccolo, and all those who helped with planning. Some classmates traveled considerable distances and added greatly to our celebration. John Zarpaylic, his duaghter Kathy and son John made the journey from Colorado, and we were very appreciative of their effort.

All the hair pulling,teeth gnashing, swear words are all over. And you what guys? It was well worth it. I have not been to a reunion that was as good as this one was. I know it was a lot of work,and many people helped in ways big and small. So many thanks to all of my classmates; ones that were there at the BBQ and to the ones I didnt see; I cant wait for the next one.
Be well, Love,maggie
xx

Been off the computer for about 10 days as I did battle with blood clots in both lungs. Delighted to see how many more classmates have signed up for the events. I'm sure it will be a blast and I sure wish I could be there.
Understand Maryann Kusha Burden and Angela Trevisano Olivito are dealing with serious long-term medical problems and it would be nice to keep them in your prayers.
I have really appreciated the calls and e-mails I have received during my illness. They mean alot.

You are the best! I just arrived home from an extended holiday w/e stay in Vermont and my mail was a joy to see. Responses are rolling in and it looks like we're going to have a terrific turnout at the 1957 PVHS Reunion 2009 in NJ.

In addition to notifiying individually those that are traveling far and have already requested accomodations, here is the information if your response is still coming.:

Hi Everyone, It was so good to see names of friends I learned 64-56 years ago! Last years mini-reunion at John Cicone's clubhouse was really fun and even though my wife,Pat, didn't know anyone, she felt welcomed and we both enjoyed everyones' company. Looking forward to seeing you-all at the buffet. Tom T.

Well, it is good to be back on the computer and seeing how well the reunion is progressing.
The few days I had planned to be off for some necessary surgery turned into over a month as I developed many problems post-op including the dreaded MRSA infection. I am finally back home and working on recouping, but it is going to take a long time.
The sad part for me is that after all this time, I will not be able to join all of you for the reunion. The last big reunion I was to was in '93, so I really was looking forward to this one. Hopefully there will be lots of pictures taken for me to see.
Piccolo has done a great job with everything and I'm sure it will be lots of fun

Condolences go to John Zarpaylic on the death of his beloved Mary on May 27th. Mary and John started dating when they were 14 and have been together ever since. John's email is: maryzarp1@mindspring.com

Everyone should have received all the details re: the reunion August 8-9 by now either via e-mail or snail mail. As the responses come in, they will be posted on the "Who's Coming" page. John and I will both be off the computer for a few days in early June, but everything will be updated as soon as possible after that.
Father Charles Casale has been added to the classmates page.

John Zarpaylic and his wife Mary could certainly use all the thoughts and prayers we can send their way. After a positive message re: Mary on Mother's Day, I received the sad news that she has declined in the past week and is now on hospice. I'm sure any messages you could send to them would be greatly appreciated. The e-mail is maryzarp1@mindspring.com

In other news, John Piccolo has put a reunion weekend together and details will be going out this week, I believe. Details will also be posted on the web site as well as a list of who is coming. Watch for updates.

I'm pleased to tell you the response from my reunion survey was very gratifying. I have moved foward with the arrangements for a good old fashioned picnic early in August on a Saturday to be followed with a casual dinner buffet on Sunday evening. If you don't make plans of your own during the day on Sunday, there's an entertaining event we can attend with a surprise I'll tell you about in the mail. I expect to button down location & catering details by the weekend. Watch your email and mailboxes for the specifics so you can make your plans. Looking at all your names over & over on the class roster while doing this has sure brought back fond memories. Please come to the party.

MESSAGE TO JIM PRICE:
Marion and I have both tried to respond to your e-mail but were unable to reach you. Please try to contact us again. I can be reached at babes723@aol.com or ldutchespv57@aol.com
Marion's e-mail is: marstar973@yahoo.com Would really like to get in touch. I am about 1 hr due west of you.

Condolences go out to George Nicholas on the death of his wife, Linda on Sunday 5/2. Services will be from Santangelo on Tues with visiting hours on Mon 5/4.

On a lighter note, John Piccolo is making progress on a reunion for this summer. More details will be coming out in e-mail or by letter shortly. Hope we have a good turnout for it. Information will also be posted on the web site as it becomes available.

the latest on W.P. name change from a BERGEN RECORD article 4/9 entitled "LOSE THE ALIAS -- WOODLAND PARK IS PROVING COSTLY, CONFUSING" -- "The only uncomplicated component of West Paterson's name change to Woodland Park is that the initials remained WP.. The borough's new alias is causing widespread confusion, in addition to added expense for residents. The name change was touted as a way of increasing home values in West Paterson. Supporters denied there was anything racist in the move to erase the borough's long, vibrant history as West Paterson. The name change purportedly had nothing to do with the fact that the socioeconomic fates have been less than kind to the borough's neighboring city, Paterson. To suggest that anyone could confuse Paterson with West Paterson is as ilogical as suggesting that someone could confuse West New York as an outer borough of New York City. West Paterson has a rich history apart from Paterson. But that didn't persuade the previous supporters of a name change; and last November, by a margin of 25 votes, West Paterson disappeared like a suburban Brigadoon. Well, not exactly. West Paterson exists on printed maps, in computer tracking programs, on buildings, road signage, and municipal vehicles. A motorist, for example, who has a Garmin GPS unit can report an error with a location in the system. Garmin updates its maps quarterly. Downloading the upgrades cost anywhere from $70 to $119. That's a hundred bucks to update a map so a computer can locate a borough that will still be bordering on Paterson regardless of what voters decide to call Woodland Park. The borough is now affixing decals to police cars so motorists who are stopped and ticketed by Woodland Park police in vehicles identified as being from the Borough of West Paterson have a clue where they must go to pay their fines. There is a petition drive under way to bring the name change back to voters -- perhaps in a special election or in November. Residents have a second chance to get the name right. West Paterson means something. Ask the thousands and thousands of people who lived their lives, raised their families and put down roots in the borough. Woodland Park means something, too: confusion." -- I'll keep you posted on the fall vote.

John Piccolo is working very hard on trying to plan a class reunion in NJ in the near future. Anyone who can give a hand can contact John @ helson88@aol.com It is a big undertaking and any help will be appreciated, I'm sure.Three more of our missing have been definitely located. Still working on some others.Bill Moseley, Joe Walker and Louise Hughes Farbmacher have all added their info to the classmates page.If you are planning vacations anywhere and would like to connect with classmates in that area, just e-mail me and I will let you know who lives in that area.Anyone who has had an anniversary or birthday, etc. feel free to add photos to our milestone photo album. Still looking for my reunion photos from 1987 reunion. If anyone has them, please post them.

Just wanted to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Bob & Carol Winschuh Brown -- joining Barbara Padula Speziale in reaching "gold" -- have a couple photos from Bob & Carol's party celebrating their 40th anniversary on April 10, 1999, that my son tried to scan in yesterday; but there didn't seem to be enough memory on our computer to accomplish the scanning -- so, as soon as he succeeds in accomplishing the scanning, I'll send them down to Lina to include in the "milestones" album -- in addition to myself and, of course, Carold Winschuh, the others from "Monday night club" in attendance at the 1999 anniversary party included: Dot Dubicki, Sandy DiLoreto, Ruth Wells, Dot Amento, Barbara Winkler, & Jill Roselene (and, of course, Frank Demore attended with Jill, so it will be nice to have a picture of Frank in the "milestones" album).

E-mails went out today to all the addresses on file re: a possible reunion in NJ. John Piccolo is chairing this endeavor and I hope you will respond as soon as possible. Letters wil be going out in a few days to everyone else.

John Corry and Frank Michener have been added to the classmates page(sorry I haven't put their pictures on yet)

The ornament that Carol Winshuh Brown made for the White House Christmas Tree is also displayed in the Milestone album.

P.V.H.S. Board of Education on 3/30/09 unanimously approved the 2009-2010 spending plan, which includes money to maintain the district's current programs, services & daytime security while adding more technological hardware & software. The budget (~$22 million) for next year is up 3.8% over the 2008-2009 budget of $20.9 million. Taxpayers in the 3 boroughs pay portions of the levy using a state-devised formula. Totowa currently pays 40%, L.F. 31.2% & W.P. 28.7%. More than half of the $804,00 budget increase will pay for staff salaries, with the remaining amount going to special ed tuition, alternative placements & vocational training, transportation, energy costs & insurance. Although enrollment at the 1,300-student school has swelled by 30% since 2001, no adm. & supervisory positions were added during that time. Next year's budget includes no money for additional teachers. The district will revise its master schedule to stabilize class sizes & accommodate additional students. Out of 16 regional high schools in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, & Morris counties, PV has the lowest cost per pupil: $12,712. Of those 16 regional high schools, PV has the lowest median teacher salary & the 4th lowest median adm. salary total.

I am sad to pass on the word that Frank Demore passed away on Sun March 8th. Visiting will be on Wed at VanderMay Funeral Home in Wayne and services will be at 10 AM on Thurs at the funeral home.Frank had just celebrated his 70th birthday in Dec. I just received pictures of the party and will be adding them to the web site this week. As I'm sure you all know, Frank was married to fellow classmate Jill Roselene.You may go to the web site of VanderMay Funeral Home and enter your condolences there. Anyone wishing the home address, may contact me for it.

The weekly newspaper 3/5/09 issue, Passaic Valley Today. ran two color photos of the Feb. 27th Girls' Show competition with the title: 'GIRLS SHOW TEAMS BATTLE IT OUT' and the following caption between the two photos:"The annual Girls Show at Passaic Valley Regional High School was held last Friday night with the White team edging out the Green team for the victory. Both teams won three categories each. The White team won in cheering, exercise, and relays; while the Green team won in posters, dance, and novelties. 'The scoring is weighted on the total points each team receives in the end,' said Principal John Wallace. 'Cheering, exercise, and dance is worth slightly more than the other categories. The White team broke the winning streak that the Green team held for the past several years.' Remember????? -- last year I told all you Greens to: WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR! I'll try to get the two pictures scanned in by my son and sent to Lina to add to our website -- I think both pictures are of the "dance" competition -- I think the themes this year were "movies," as one group looks like they're all "jokers" from the Batman movie, but I don't have a clue as to what the other group is -- I'll have to find out from the other gals this coming Monday if any of them heard what the themes were this year (I seem to recall Jill saying she knew someone who was attending the show this year) -- will keep you posted --

Having grown up less than 400 ft. from the Hillery St. Bridge, I have many memories of it. Back in the 40's the neighborhood kids use to go swimming and diving from it. Several times rescues had to be made when the river current caught them. I remember the rattle of the boards as you drove over it, and looking between the boards when you walked over it. I was about 8 when I started to walk across it by myself and I remember running most of the way because the way it rattled when the cars went over scared me.

That reminds me of how carefree our childhood was. At 8, I walked across the bridge and got the bus by the Nanree to go up the hill to the Methodist Church for Brownies and I did this by myself. By 10, I was going to Paterson by myself to go shopping for my mother at the Swiss Bakery and the German butcher. How things changed!! I would not have thought of allowing my kids to do that.

I want to thank Marion Douma Start for all the contributions she has made to making this site grow and be more informative for all of us--especially those of us who are out of the area.

Also, I want to make note that Mike Freund has now been added to the classmates page.

Hillery Street Bridge brings back a memory I thought was long buried ! Fourty or so years ago I was driving a truck load of pipe across that bridge to deliver to a new bldg. at Kearfott, I hit a bump & dropped the entire load in the middle of the bridge ! Just then Renard Galus came along offered to help & between the two of us got everything back on the truck & traffic resumed. I'll be forever gratefull for Renard's help in a very embarasing incident !Thanks Again Renard !!!

Herald News newspaper article from last weeK entitled: 'HILLERY STREET BRIDGE REOPENS -- SPAN IS WIDER, CAN BEAR TRUCK TRAFFIC" -- "The Hillery Street Bridge spanning the Passaic River and connecting W.P. & Totowa reopened to traffic this week following a two-year, $11 million renovation. The bridge, built in 1898, reopened Tuesday, February 17, 2009. It was renovated to withstand the weight of standard 40-ton tractor-trailers. Previously, the bridge could only support vehicles weighing no more than three tons. The bridge now features a 30-foot wide deck with two sidewalks. Passaic County will hold an official opening ceremony when the weather improves. The 111-year-old bridge, noted for its pony trust design, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The project cost $11 million -- $9.5 million in federal grants, $1 million in state aid & $500,000 in county funds. The bridge's original trusses were reinstalled to support its sidewalks. A yellow-flashing traffic light installed at the bridge's intersection with Totowa Road was converted to a regular signal this week."

For anyone who hasn't heard, Tom Fenwick is now doing better and has received a 3 month break from seeing his drs. He is even gaining weight. Let's keep praying for his continued recovery.John Zarpaylic's wife, Mary, continues to need our prayers. She is apparently stable at this time, but remains weak.Understand Ethel Douma Van Der Horn has recently had surgery and I'm sure she would like to know that she is being thought of while she recovers.Our classmates list continues to grow. We now have 82 on the site with the addition of Bev Fazio Weite, Vinnie McBride, Donald Kinkaid, Bob Rumpler, and Maggie Smith Mulrooney. If you aren't on clasmates page, how about adding yourself? If you know someone who isn't on, maybe you could encourage them to add themselves. Lots of folks will be turning 70 this year. If you have a special celebration, we'd like to see pictures of that special occasion. Our milestone's photo album is especially for these occasions or special anniversaries, etc.Check out the photo albums when you check the site as we are adding photos and/or albums frequently.Feel free to blog here whenever you visit.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY, EVERYONE!Just wanted to post Dorothy Fontana's 2008 news: Dot co-authored a STAR TREK original series comic book entitled THE ENTERPRISE EXPERIMENT which was published in April; then the publisher brought it out as a graphic novel in November -- Dot says it was a very different experience from any other writing she's done, but it was interesting to do it once (she doubts whether she'll do it again). Dot continues her teaching at the American Film Institute. Her oscar-winning (special effects on the ABYSS) husband finished up work on STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 early last year; his team furnished over 500 visual effects shots for this movie.HOPE THE GROUNDHOG BRINGS US SPRING SOON!

Tony and I, and Harry and Maude Banks had a great weekend as house guests of Nina and Bob Luckenbach in The Villages, FL. The guys played golf, and the gals relaxed, talked and laughed a lot. Lina and Allen, and Skip and Gail joined us for cocktails at the Luckenbachs, and all had a lovely dinner at the Nancy Lopez club. Wish more classmates had been able to make our mini Florida reunion. Thanks to Lina and Bob for all thier work to make it happen.Angella

We have three more missing classmates. They are:Terry Fierro Patti, Ann Marie Pagnillo Perricelli, and Mark Kessler. If anyone knows where these three may have moved to in the past 2 years, please let me know.Donald Kinkaid is also being added to the classmates page.

Just to let you know that in the past few days Renard Galus, Jim Stewart and Len VanDerStad have all been added to the classmates page. In the future, I will just make a notation here when someone is added. This will enable anyone to check out the new addition without going through all the names all the time.

My dad died at the beginning of December 2008. Louis Alessio attended the services, and this was greatly appreciated by me, and my family. Louis and I had not seen each other since leaving Passaic Valley 50 years ago.

West Paterson officially becomes "Woodland Park" today (January 1, 2009) -- the final vote count (after all absentee and provisional votes were counted) was: 2136 in favor of the name change, and 2111 against the change! So the name of "West Paterson" was lost by only a couple dozen votes. Petitions are now circulating to try to return the name in an upcoming election, but I don't think that's going to happen (but I and my son signed the petition!) --Regarding the Dec. 9 PVHS capital improvements referendum, voters approved the first ballot's request for building upgrades (1416 vs 804 votes) and rejected the second ballot for improving the athletic field and lighting (1218 vs 978 votes. The amount of the first proposal stands at $6,788,040 and will ensure the improvement and/or replacement of the high school's outdated boilers, roofs, and windows, including parking lot and driveway improvements. The rejected proposal's cost was $1,725,295 and would have upgraded the grounds by replacing the field with artificial turf and installing improved lighting. According to officials, the second bond item would have cost taxpayers about $12/year (many board members felt that part two of the referendum was just as important as part one). PVHS Board of Ed President said, "It would have been such a detriment to the school if the first part did not pass. It was very important that it did because the buildings were in dire need of them so we're extremely happy about that. But we feel our students definitely deserved to have great facilities as well. We would have loved to have had our field and lights upgraded but it's understandable that not everything passed with the way the economy is. We are very fortunate, however, that the first portion was approved."HAPPY, HEALTHY 2009 TO ALL!

About two years ago, I received an e-mail asking if I knew anything re: a reunion to celebrat 50 years since we left PV. Many e-mails later it was learned that nothing was happening and a couple of us set about trying to get some people together. In the past 2 years, many people have reconnected, old friendships have been renewed, new friendships have been established, we have been able to offer support for those in need, and several small get-togethers have occured.

I also want to thank everyone who contributed to the website. Due to your generosity, I was able to obtain a special rate and secure our website and change the name for the next 5 years. So thanks again to all contributed. Remember the web site is for everyone in the class and you are encouraged to add to it. If you have difficulty accessing or adding anything, contact me at ldutchespv57@aol.com.

Let's also keep our ailing classmates and their spouses in our prayers as well. Right now Tom Fenwick and John Zarpaylic's wife, Mary, are battling serious long term illnesses and I'm sure would appreciate any words of encouragement you might send their way. Their e-mail addresses can be found under their name on the classmates page.

Now as we head into a new year, I would like to wish everyone all the best for a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year.

Got to see Carol Winschuh Brown's photo album of the Dec. 2 Whitehouse party hosted by Laura Bush and hear all about the reception in honor of all the artists (plus I just received a photo of the ornament Carol painted that is hanging in the White House this holiday season -- I'll have my son scan in the photo, as well as the pictures I took at Frank Demore's surprise 70th birthday party in Totowa on December 6). In the meantime, here is some background on Carol's ornament (depicting the Christmas train over the Nicholson Bridge in Susquehanna County, PA): "Every December the Holiday Train leaes Steamtown National Park in Scranton, PA, and travels north to Canada, stopping on the famous Nicholson Bridge for 15 minutes. The bridge is the largest poured concrete bridge in the world. It is 2375 ft. long and was completed in 1915." If you want to see a color photo of Carol's ornament: go onto www.whitehouse.gov; click on Barbara Bush's page; click on "Red, White & Blue Christmas;" click on "Pennsylvania" and then on "10th District."Laura Bush's Christmas tour of the White House is scheduled to be shown on HGTV this Wed., December 17 (I checked the tv program guide for this week, and can't find the tour listed but there are Christmas programs scheduled for 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm -- maybe it's part of those programs, or perhaps it will be shown on a different date).

Tony and I, and Bob and Niina Luckenbach met with Harry and Maude Banks in Lakeland, Fl for dinner on Dec. 5. Harry and Maude had come up from Port St. Lucie. for Harry's softball league games. Had a great evening. We are planning a cruise to Alaska in July 2009. I'll give you a date and details soon.Angella

Today is the Whitehouse reception (Barbara Bush, hostess) for all of the country's artists who painted holiday ornaments for the Whitehouse tree -- and our own Carol Winschuh Brown (along with her sister, Joyce) is among the honorees at this party --other news at 'club' last night: Bill and Sandy Diloreto Kassebart welcomed second grandson, Jonathan Kassebart into the world on Thanksgiving, November 27; Jonathan joins big brother, William Kassebart --Paul and Barbara Winkler Ward are vacationing this week in FL; they stopped by last month to visit Bob and Marion Rich Boonen in Homosassa, FL.

Woodland Park describes the old West Paterson, but I love the new name. Thanks to those who voted for the change. We moved there in 1950 from Paterson. It seemed like a paradise to me, especially with the "Resi" across the street.

Another open house at P.V.H.S. is scheduled for November 22, 9:00 a.m. -- a presentation and tour will start in the Suchorsky Library (during our years at PV, Mrs. Suchorsky was Miss Tiessen) -- to indicate your interest in attending the 11/22 PV open house, call 973-890-2500 ext. 2561.Also for anyone in the L.F. area, 11/14 and 11/15 (7:30 p.m. each night), the PVHS Theater Arts program will be presenting a produiction of "Moon Over Buffalo" (the original stage production of this play opened on Broadway in 1995 where it ran for 309 performances, starring Carol Burnett). Proceeds from the show benefit future shows at PVHS, the Drama Club, and help to pay for theater field trips like Broadway shows and educational workshops. Tickets for either night (11/14 or 11/15) are $5 per person.

The town name of "West Paterson" has been voted out on Nov. 4 -- by 33 votes! At some point, to take effect in the near future, the new town name is: "Woodland Park" -- it was the fourth time this town name question was on the ballot over the past few decades that finally got rid of the West Paterson's name, by which the town was known for almost a hundred years -- so, Joan Both, John Zarpaylic, Lina, Angella, and Walt DePalma (& all other '57 West Patersonians): your home town is no more!Also, the capital-improvements referendum for P.V.H.S. voted on Sept. 30 was defeated -- a modified referendum will be voted upon in a month (Dec. 9) -- the total cost for the plan still stands at $8,513,335 and this referendum question will be broken out in two separate proposals: Proposal #1 ($6,788,040) would entail replacing five boilers and pneumatic controls, replacing and/or repair 17 different roofs, replacing windows, and parking lot/driveway improvements. Proposal #2 ($1,725,295) would cover upgrading the grounds with replacing the field with artificial turf & installing improved lighting. I'll keep you posted on the outcome of the 12/9/08 vote.

A new album has been started to share those special occasions we have in our lives--birthdays, anniversaries, family weddings, new grandchildren, etc. The first pictures have been entered and I hope we will soon see more. If you are unable to enter the pictures, e-mail them to me and I will add them. Even if you have looked at the albums before, glance at them again once in awhile as new pictures do get added.

Let's continue to keep Tom Fenwick, Mary Zarpaylic(John's wife) and Ruth Wells Stephens in our prayers. Tom is undergoing chemo and radiation at present and has hit a rough time. I'm sure he would appreciate knowing he is in our thoughts and prayers.The same goes for Mary and Ruth as they continue to struggle with their ongoing problems.

At this week's 'Monday night (10/13) meeting,' we had reports that Ruth Wells Stephens is finally doing better following her Sept. 9 heart valve repair surgery. Thank you all for your prayers. Carol Winschuh Brown is one of the artists selected this year to paint a Christmas ball to be hung on this year's White House holiday tree; Carol just received her invitation for a 12/2 White House reception for all of the artists. So, if you get to D.C. this holiday season, look for Carol's ornament on the White House tree -- it features the Christmas train going over the Nicholson Bridge in the PA Congressional District where both Carol and Ruthie live.

In my prior entry I mentioned Tom Fenwick needing prayers, etc. I neglected to mention that Tom is about to start another round of chemotherapy and radiation for another lesion that was found. I'm sure he and Lynda would appreciate any words of encouragement you can send their way.

Congratulations this month to Barbara Padula and Jerry Speziale who will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct 5th. What a marvelous milestone!In Sept, Tom Siedel and George Radcliffe each reached milestones also as they celebrated their 70th birthdays. Belated good wishes to both.Let us not forget a couple of classmates and a spouse who could use some extra thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement as they work on recovering from major health problems. They would be Tom Fenwick, Ruth Wells Stephens, and John Zarpaylic's wife, Mary.

Remember if you have any news you would like to share, feel free to post it here in the guest book--blog. It is your page to talk on.

Another "open house" at PV: Saturday, Sept. 20, at 9:00 a.m. "Dr. Viktor Joganow, supt., says the aim is to bring residents into the high school's bldg. & grounds in order to have a closer look at what needs to be done with the bldg.'s infrastructure & other improements. Funding, if approved, will tackle the following issues: major roof renovations, upgrades to the heating & boiler system, replacement of windows of the East Wing & in Griswold Gymnasium, paving, artificial turf for the football field, & additional lighting. The public referendum vote will take place on Sept. 30.

It is again with sadness that I have added the name of Loretta Morano Petkos to our list of deceased classmates. Loretta passed away on 8/25/2008.Also, a request to keep Ruth Wells Stephens in your prayers this week as she undergoes open heart surgery for a defective heart valve on 9/9.

John Zarpaylic's wife, Mary, has been ailing for quite some time and I'm sure John would like to hear from anyone who cares to send wishes their way. His e-mail is maryzarp1@mindspring.com

Good news--Tom Fenwick is doing very well in his recovery from lung cancer. Lynda reported that he recently was able to return to bowling for the first time in over a year.

You may have noticed that the name of this page has been changed. Would like to have you feel free to enter any info here that you would like to share with folks--special events, new grandkids, retirement, trips, etc.

Just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY/SAFE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. Also, for anyone in the L.F. area, the following week on Sunday, Sept. 7, there's a picnic starting at noon at the end of VanPelt Place in Singac (by the Russian church on that street); Donna Stokes indicated she's planning to come down from VT to attend that picnic; and, since I'm in L.F. anyhow until noon on Sundays, I think I'll check out that picnic, too. P.S. The PV Class of 1959 is in the planning stages of a reunion for the fall of 2009 and is now researching locations -- I'm wondering if our class would like to piggyback onto their celebration (provided we're welcome, of course -- you'll recall we had indicated that we'd be interested in joining the PV class 1958's reunion coming next month but were told we were NOT welcome! -- let me know your thoughts, and I'll be happy to contact either '59 guy listed as their contacts for that class ('59). Many thanks, Marion

I have started an anniversary page. Unfortunately, I was not able to set it up so that everyone could enter their own anniversary. You will need to sendl it to me and i will enter it. Barbara padula Speziale has a Golden anniversary coming up this October. Any others out there?

A new feature was added last month--a birthday calendar. There are currently about 40 birthdays on there. Three of these will be celebrating a milestone birthday before the end of the year--big 70. Ethel Douma VanDer Horn this month, Bob Luckenbach in Nov. and Frank De More in Dec. It has been suggested that we also have special anniversaries on there. If anyone would like to send me their anniversary, I will compile them and enter it when it is special-20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50.If you haven't entered your birthday, please do or send it to me and I will gladly enter it.

"Here's info. that appeared in 6/19/08 PV TODAY newspaper on PV's graduation ceremony last month: SUSHANTH BHASKARABHATLA is PV's 08VALEDICTORIAN. He has been involved with Model Congress, Science League & served as president of the 2008 Class. Achievements include: attending the NJ Governor's School in the sciences, receiving the Yale Book Award and being a part of the second-ranked Biology II team in NJ. He will attend the Univ. of PA in the fall as a Benjamin Franklin Scholar & a Vagelos Scholar in the molecular life sciences. EDWARD LEE is PV's '08 SALUTATORIAN. His activities at PV include being involved in the Math League, the Academic Team & Science League, president of the Future Doctors of America Club & VP of the Physics Club. He is also a National Merit Finalist and ranked first place in Biology II for the NJ Science League in 2007. An oboe player, he's in PV's Symphonic Band & participated in the North Region Symphonic Band & Orchestra for 3 years. This year he was 2nd oboe for the NJ All-State Wind Ensemble. He's also performed with the Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra & is a member of the Venius Trio, which is a flute, oboe, & bassoon chamber group. Lee will attend The College of NJU's 7-year med. program with UMDNJ-NJ Med. School to become a doctor."lA couple of extremely bright kids, I would say!

It is with sadness that I have added another name to our memorial page. Ronald Pelachyk passed away on 6/21/08 at his home in Little Falls. He was 69.Ron may be remembered as one of the outstanding trumpet players in our high school band.

As we reach the 51st anniversary (today, June 18) of our PVHS commencement, I had to post something on the website......... since it seems we're unable to come up with a Jersey get-together date/place, how about those of us who can make the July 27 (Sunday) matinee (2:00 pm) performance of "Rent" at PVHS (Schneider Auditorium, which is now air-conditioned!) plan to attend that; and afterwards any others who can't make 2:00 pm, can meet on the steps outside the auditorium (somewhere around 4:00 or 5:00 pm) so that everyone can grab a bite to eat wherever then??????????? -- the talent at these PV shows is outstanding -- in fact, the May production of "Cabaret" was voted "best musical" of all north Jersey high school productions by the "Cappies" (a group evaluating shows, similar to the "Emmy's for Broadway shows," and the actor playing the cabaret emcee was voted best lead performer! -- you'll be amazed at what these kids deliver!!!!!!!!Anyone in the L.F. area (or anywhere in NJ) can enjoy a tour of PVHS this Saturday, June 21, at 9:00 a.m. (I'm sure they'll provide coffee, etc. -- "The aim is to bring the community in to allow them to see what needs to be done with the PVHS buildings' infrastructure and other Improvements" according to Dr. Viktor Joganow, superintendent.. According to Business Administrator, Paul Gerber, "the total projected capital improvement summary of costs stand at $8,513,335 " -- the public referendum vote will take place on September 30, 2008. Be glad if you DON'T live in L.F., W.P., or Totowa (I cringe at the thought of how much higher taxes will go when those costs are part of our taxes! -- know our parents would never have been able to come up with that kind of money!) -- hope to see you July 27 at "Rent"!!!!!!!!!!

Our March 16th meeting was postponed and took place on May 18th. Harry Banks, Bob and Nina Luckenbach, Tom and Pat Tullo, Skip and Gayle Pasquariello, Tony and Angela Trevisano Olivito, and myself all traveled to Trinity, Fl for brunch and socializing with John and Joan Ciccone at their clubhouse in Heritage Estates CC. A great time was had catching up with folks we hadn't seen in a long time. We are now looking forward to planning more get togethers.

For anyone in the Little Falls NJ area, PVHS will be presenting 'CABARET' at 7:30 p.m., May 15, May 16, and May 17, in the Schneider Auditorium -- I think I'll go to the May 17 (Sat.) performance; but, if anyone prefers another date, I probably could change my plans. Last summer, I enjoyed PV's production of "TOMMY" and could not believe the singing / acting / musical talent. This past Sunday I participated in the CROP walk from Holy Angels R.C. Church and got to meet many of the young people from Holy Angels who participated in that fundraiser; I was actually talking to the young man who has the lead in this year's "CABARET" at PV, and last night at one of my UMW (church women) meetings, I found out that that young man has already appeared on Broadway, and he was also in last year's PV production of TOMMY when he had just finished eighth grade in L.F. the previous June!

New from Florida. On Tuesday, March 4, Bob and Nina Luckenbach hosted Tony and I, Lina Dutches, Hildegarde and Roy Brazzle,and Harry and Maude Banks. We all enjoyed their great wine and hors d' oeuvres before going out to dinner. The lovely evening ended with coffee and wonderful desserts. Bob aand Nina live in The Villages, just about an hour north of our home in Wesley Chapel(n. of Tampa). Some classmates are meeting on March 16, close to John Ciccone's home.Tony and I won't be able to join them. We will be up in Atlanta. Hope to have more attend our next gahtering here at our home.

This year's PVHS Girls Show was held February 29 -- Passaic Valley Today newspaper showed a couple photos with this caption: "PV Regiional High School held its annual Girls Show last Friday, pitting the "green" vs. "white" teams in various categories such as dance, relay, and cheering. The green team emerged as the victors for 2008." Congratulations, "greens;" but wait until next year!

Hey out there, your old buddy Huey, would have loved the cruise, but my chances of survival were slim, so with a clear head prevailing ,I chose to stay ashore!! Glad all that sailed had a rollicking time , and hope to see everyone at a reunion on terra firma, Had my fill of ships while in the marine corps!!! Stay healthy, miss a lot of you. LOL . "Semper-Fi" HUEY

Guess who will be in Phoenix rooting for the Giants to win this year's Super Bowl????????? Paul and Barbara Winkler Ward (Giants season ticket holders) won through lottery the chance to buy two tickets (at $700 each) and are flying to Phoenix the end of this week, returning to NJ the middle of next week! The first time the Giants made it to the Super Bowl (21 years ago, in 1987) Barbara and Paul attended that game at the Rose Bowl (each ticket then was a whopping $70 -- quite a cost increase for this year's tickets!) -- anyhow. when Lynn and Ruth Wells Stephens, who winter in Phoenix, indicated they would supply Barbara/Paul with sleeping accommodations, the Wards bought the game tickets and booked their flights! So, as you're watching the game Sunday, look for Barbara and Paul (upper tier, seventh row)! Other '57 travellers: Tom and Dot Dubicki Bromley are off to Florida (Disney) for a couple weeks; Helen and John Piccolo are currently on a three-week tour of Italy, returning mid-February!

This web site will continue to operate for at least the next year. We will be using it to post all kinds of class info as well as news of other reunions. Keep checking it.To everyone--I hope your Christmas was all you wished it to be and that the New Year will be healthy and rich with blessings.Lina

It is with sadness that I have had to add another name to our Memorial Page. Donald Abrams passed away on December 6, 2007.Marion Douma Start e-mailed me with this info. A viewing will be held at Santangelo's on McBride Ave on 12/9 from 2-6 PM for anyone who may remember Donald.

I have entered some photos from the cruise, but found I am missing some people. Does anyone have photos of Joan, Frank, Marion, Donna, Harry or Ethel? Mine are either not very flattering or I do not have them. There were a lot of cameras being used on board so how about sharing some of them with all of us?

Hi Everybody: I heard the reunion was great, and I spoke with Phil LaBruto and Sandy today, and they said they had such a good time with everyone at dinner before the cruise. Great job Lina and Doug!!!!! Phil and Sandy are coming up for a month in May so I told him that I would mention it to see if maybe that would be a good month for us to get together up here. It is warm for you Floridians, and it is not yet going into summer. What do you think Monday Night Girls, Lina, Doug, Angela, and whoever else I am missing? Let me or Billy know, and maybe we can get together to plan something. Billy emailed me a photo of a resort at Vernon Valley, which is really nice, or if not, something easy and not expensive for two days would also be nice. Talk to you all soon. Glor, Vinny Passiatore, Bill Topash, and I am sure others would be glad to help out. Love you all.

Hi everyone!I'm a retired librarian (couldn't you have guessed?) and live in the center of Pennsylvania, in Altoona now. Last winter we rented in the Villages. I'm excited to see you all again.Hildegard

I play tennis with Millie LaBruto Francisco on Friday mornings, and she says her brother (Phil) is talking about a get-together prior to the ship leaving! The Piccolo's and I, however, will be lucky to be able to board the ship on time, as our flights out of Newark (& then Atlanta) are that morning (11/15)! I know Ethel Douma is travelling to FL on Wed., 11/14, so she & her friend could join the pre-cruise celebration (I believe her email is listed on this website). Have fun! See you on board!

You wish it was in 2003. The ones you might remember are: One Little Candle; Old Man River; Waiting for the Robert E. Lee; Red River Valley; Goodby, My Lover, Goodbye; and This is My Country. There were a few others that I have no recollection of.

A question from our 10/19/07 Monday meeting @ Dot Dubicki's (for W.P. '53 graduates): can anyone remember the songs we sang for our graduation? Jill & I were only able to come up with "Jambaly(sp.?) & Crawfish Pie" -- Lina, do you still have the program from that night in June, 2003??????????? -- help!

Hello everyone,
Jill and Frank Demore and us, John & Helen Piccolo just had dinner together and we brought them home to take them to this site. Jill and Frank are not into the computer thing but they certainly wanted to send a shout out to everyone and they are enjoying looking over all info contained herein.

Wondered if anyone had travel experience with regard to Cozumel. Found a number of land tours of the island with visit to Maya "ruins" etc. Would it be wise to form a group for such a tour ? Any other ides ?
Walt

Re: NJ '57 class reunion in 2008 or 2009 -- the consensus at this week's Monday night mtg. was that a simple dinner @ the Barnyard's "Carriage House" on Totowa Rd., Totowa, would be the way to go -- while grocery shopping @ L.F. ShopRite this morning, I met Barbara Hebert; and she, too, was enthusiastic about such a get-together -- so, if everyone going on the cruise can check with all '57 classmates with whom they're communicating, we can try to narrow down to a date/time (next year / year after?????) that will be good for all -- thanks for gathering whatever input you can so we can finalize next month!

I'm hosting this Monday's meeting (10/1/07), so I'll see what the consensus is from those attending that night re: a NJ reunion -- it's taken relentless effort on my part just to get 'the girls' onto the great class website, so we shall see -- and, speaking of participation in the website, where are you, Bill Tawpash, in the 'classmates' section?????? Sure would love to see an entry from you -- local libraries, I'm sure, would assist you if you are electronically-challenged, as am I (last month I entered Judy Guide's info. at the L.F. library's computer, with her assistance) -- if you have a current picture and family pictures, my son has a scanner so I can have him enter those for you, and then Lina/Doug are excellent in following through with putting them onto the site. The greater the input, the more interest we'll generate (maybe you could even get Barbara, Gloria, etc., to enter their info.; we can use the website info. to start action on the 'NJ gathering.'

Lina and Doug have done a great job on the reunion cruise, now we need someone to head up the reunion for New Jersey. Any volunteers? Marion? How about the Monday night girls. Barbara Spez, Gloria and myself would be willing to work on the committee. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Something casual where we can share old memories and visit with dear friends.

Be ready for a good time.Tony and I have done the Carribean many times, it is an enjoyable trip. Bring comfortable, summer clothing for daytime. Bring along a light wrap, it tends to be cool on the ship, especially in the dining rooms. Rubber soled shoes are good for walking the decks. A light warm-up is good for after dinner walks on deck at night. Most credit cards are good in the ports. Local currency is usually available on the ship, good for small purchases. All on board expenses are charged to the credit card you present upon boarding the ship. Be sure to bring your passport. SEE YOU SOON.
Angella

Only two months from today, we'll be on the high seas to Mexico! Hope you all have been able to print your "set-sail passes" -- it only took Donna Stokes & I a couple weeks of phone calls, emails, etc. -- in Donna's many calls to our agent Harriet, she also gleaned some travel tidbits, which I'll pass on to the gals: [1] no need to pack hairdryers (available on the ship), [2] might be wise to pack sneakers for the exercise facilities onboard, and [3] formalwear is optional for one of the nights onboard -- if I've forgotten anything else, I'm sure Donna will fill in whatever I've missed. Donna also heard that inoculations (shots) might be necessary for our stay in Mexico, but Piccolo has indicated that all we have to do is be sure NOT to drink the water there (eliminate even ice cubes in bottled drinks).

Hi all,
It won't be long until our special time together. Sending a big thank you to Lina and Doug for putting the reunion together for us. Tony and are really looking forward to the cruise and seeing all of you.
Angella

The August 13-20, 2007 issue of U.S. News and World Report devotes considerable space to happenings in the year 1957 ("A Year That Changed The World"). Thought you might find it interesting. Of course we all know that was a vintage year for high school graduates.
Walt

Thanks for the 'family photo album' Lina -- it was great to view your progeny! Recently received an "oldie-but-goodie email today, so of course had to share the ending sentiments:
In mid-life and post-mid-life, your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing we can retain is water.
Mid-life means that your Body By Jake now includes Legs By Rand McNally -- more red and blue lines than an accurately scaled map of Wisconsin.
Mid-life means that you become more reflective . . . You start pondering the "big" questions.
What is life?
Why am I here?
How much Healthy Choice ice cream can I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice?
But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. We realize that breasts sag, hips expand and chins double, but our loved ones make the journey worthwhile. Would any of you trade the knowledge that you have now, for the body you had way back when? Maybe our bodies simply have to expand to hold all the wisdom and love we've acquired. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it!

Hi all! Attended Class of 2007 graduation on Fri. the 22nd. Thank god for great weather so it could be on the football field like ours was. A tremendous number of guests with over 300 graduates including my grandson, Justin Piccolo who then celebrated his 18th birthday on the 24th. The class is a very accomplished group with over 2 million dollars in scholarships awarded! If I might brag, $68000 to my grand son. We're mighty proud of him!

Doug, Heard you went to Europe.Lucky you. Let us know when you return. Bob Luckenbach has a prom pic for you to post. Table pic with Jim Stewart, Angella, Paula Becker Malone, Skip Pasq., Bob Le Pre, Rosie, Russ Kelly, Maggie Smith , Phip Puget, and his date, I think is Elaine Pasq. Let us know if you know her name.

(PART III of III -- parts I & II below)
I know I am often forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.
How can your heart not break
when you lose a loved one,
or when a child suffers,
or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car?
But broken hearts are what give us
wisdom and strength and compassion.
A heart never broken is pristine and sterile
and will never know the joys of
faith and understanding and love.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough
to have my hair turn gray,
and to have my youthful laughs be
forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed,
and so many have died
before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older,
it is easier to be positive.
You care less about what other people think.
I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.
I like being old.
It has set me free.
I like the person I have become.
I am not going to live forever,
but while I am still here,
I will not waste time
lamenting what could have been,
or worrying about what will be.
And I shall eat dessert ...
every single day.
Author Unknown
(in memory of our late '57 members)

PART II OF III (PART I below this entry)
I have seen too many dear friends
leave this world too soon;
before they understood
the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it
if I choose to read
or play on the computer until 4 a.m.
and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself
to those wonderful tunes of the 50's, 60's, and 70's,
If I, at the same time, wish to weep
over all those I loved and lost ... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit
that is stretched over a bulging body,
and I will dive into the waves with abandon,
if I choose to,
despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old some day.

(an email recently forwarded to me:)
Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now,
probably for the first time in my life,
the person I have always wanted to be.
Oh, not my body!
I often despair over my body,
the wrinkles, the baggy eyes,
the bulging belly and sagging butt.
And often I am taken aback
by that old person that lives in my mirror
but I try not to agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends,
my wonderful life
or my loving family
for less gray hair or a flatter belly.
As I've aged,
I have become kinder to myself
and less critical of myself.
I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself
for eating that extra cookie,
or for not making my bed,
or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need,
but that looks so avant garde on my patio.
I am entitled to a treat,
to be messy,
to be extravagant.
(PART I -- continued in PART II)

If you get the "History" tv channel (Cablevision's #47 in our NJ area), be sure to watch "HOW WM. SHATNER CHANGED THE WORLD" (covering inventions inspired by "Star Trek"), a two-hour program that's aired at least twice so far this year (including 5/27/07) -- near the end of the first hour, DOROTHY FONTANA is featured explaining how she, "Star Trek's" head writer, and the other "Star Trek" writers improvised during 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 -- she is not on camera during the second hour of this program, but I believe she did continue working with Gene Roddenberry on "Star Trek, the Next Generation," as well -- and, after Gene's death, with his widow, into the 1990's.

I sent Skip several Emails and he never responded. I think he doesn't want to be bothered. Skip indicated he lives in Hudson which is close to where I live. I also sent an Email to Frank Campiglia and we exchanged phone numbers and he said he would call when he got back from New Jersey. So far I haven't heard from him.

Talked to Donna Cuozzo yesterday. She heard from Barb Speziale. Phil La Bruto was up in NJ visiting.
They talked about coming down to FL to see everyone on the ship before the cruise. I think security is tight, and only passengers are allowed on the ship. I'm trying to talk Donna into joining us.

Still looking for pictures from graduation or prom to put on a new page we are setting up to review our history. Please forward to Doug @ hermancapt800@aol.com Somebody must have some out there some where.
Share them with us and bring back more memories.

Just thought I should add my maiden name incase no one knew the last name. It will be great to be able to join everyone and we should all have a great time. Cruising is the bvest and have done many cruises. See you in November.

Thanks Bob couldn't have been expressed better. Come on everyone talk to one another. Share your liives, memories and wishes with us. We all want to hear from everyone. Just check in and say Hi. Thanks everyone.
Doug

Can't believe that this site has almost 1300 hits but only about 16 people have signed on. Come on all you people (and you know who you are), make believe we're changing classes and walking down the hall, say hello to your classmates, we want to hear from everyone. Don't be shy.

Bill, get the "patch". I used them on our 16 day cruise around S. America in Jan. It was ver, very rough, especially around the Horn. Had no problems while wearing the patch. so glad you are joining us.
Angella

Looking forward to a Cruise on something that isn't painted Grey with big white numbers on the front, My last cruise was in 99 just before I retired from the Navy & that was on a Sub out of Pearl Harbor. Glad to see so many have signed on looking forward to seeing everyone again it's sure been a long time.

Absolutely plan on attending. Can't begin to think that 50 years have gone by. Seems like only yesterday. Look forward to reminiscing about the past and catching up with everyone's life stories.
For myself I've retired twice now but can't seem to stay idle so have returned to work one more time. Presently live & work in the Tampa Florida area.

What an awesome website. Great job.
I am having a ball checking out those of you that have responded to the coming 50th celebration. I am still working. I keep telling myself I am getting too old for this. I have two beautiful daughters, both married. Only one grandchild (a boy) Hope to make the reunion. Though I have a busy year ahead with 3 vacations including one to Italy, Spain and the French Riviera. I am enjoying every bit of learning about all my classmates. What fun. I have been living in Maryland since 1963.

Glad to see more classmates signing onto the site.
Spent 24 hours with some '56 gals down in Sarasota. They were Joan Seuling, Sandy Del Sardo, Joyce Frontz, Jane Roselene, and Raelene Rydzik. Had a wonderful time talking about our years at PV.

I'd like to ask all of you who are checking out the web site to register on the classmates page and ,if you feel so inclined, write us a brief summary of the last 50 years of your life on the message board page. We plan to print it all in a booklet for everyone.

Thanks for all you have done to establish this wonderful website.
We hope to make the reunion cruise. We have done the same cruise and enjoyed it.
Just returned from a 16 night cruise around South America. Started in Chile and ended in Argentina. Loved the penguins on the Falkland Islands. Had some rough seas going around Cape Horn. Thank God for the PATCH.
Look forward to seeing everyone agian. It has been toooooooooo long.
Angella

Great idea! Going to try to make it. I'm retired but my wife is not ready (even though she's 2 yrs. older) to give up her 3 day a week job as the bookkeeper for the Grand Chalet in Wayne, NJ. Get's her out of the house and gives me some space.

I always enjoy reading the newsletter of The L.F. Historical Society -- their Sept. '06 issue (vol.14 #4) featured PVHS and covered a lot of the school's history, including the fact that 45% of its construction costs were funded by the WPA project initiated by FDR's New Deal and that classes began Sept. 16, 1940 -- making PVHS 67 years old this Sept. (which coincidentally is also the age of many of the members of the class of 1957)! The article closed with the words of PV's alma mater (do you recall the tune?):
Hail to our Alma Mater
Hail to the school we love
Carry her name to glory
Raise her banner above
True sonjs and daughters loyal
Keeping the torch alight
Make her fame immortal
The fame of the green and white.
(article written by Clifford Swisher who also penned the above words and is the current president of the L.F. Historical Society -- Barbara Winkler Ward's uncle (Victor Winkler is editor of "Historic Little Falls" published four times a year) --
Hope you liked this bit of nostalgia -- I always look forward to reading "Historic Little Falls" as each issue is published.
See you on our JUBILEE CRUISE (hopefully)!

So glad that something is coming together for our class. I am so sorry but I won't be able to come, but I send my love to all and hope those of you that take the cruise have a wonderful time. Our class was the very best.

This is sooo great. What a beautiful website and what a wonderful idea of a cruise. We were always so good about our reunions and to not have a 50th would be unheard of!! Kudos to those of you who are working so diligently to make this happen.

I'm going. What an opportunity. Hope everyone reserves early. Looking foward to this event. It's a great little vacation and really affords everyone to get to renew friendships and remember old times. Much better than a few hours at a
a restaurant.